Some of the BRCGS approved certification bodies in India are international companies like TÜV SÜD, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, DNV, NSF, and Eurofins Assurance India. These certification bodies have been licensed by BRCGS and accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 standard so that they can audit and certify facilities based on BRCGS Global Standards, which covers food safety standards, packaging material standards, storage & distribution standards, and consumer products standards.
Indian manufacturers and exporters may waste time by choosing the wrong certification body as this can result in delayed slots for audits, incompatible scope, or non-recognized certificates by particular retailers. This article explains about BRCGS certification bodies operating in India, understanding of “approved” certification bodies, and a step-by-step process of selecting the correct certification body.
What Does “BRCGS Approved Certification Body” Actually Mean
A BRCGS approved certification body is an independent auditing organization that has been certified by BRCGS to deliver certificates against the BRCGS standards, as well as accredited by an independent accreditation body for the same BRCGS standard under ISO/IEC 17065. The two must both be the case; otherwise, a training consultancy is not a certification body regardless of the expertise in BRCGS standards.
ISO/IEC 17065 is the international standard that controls the functioning of certification bodies for products and systems. It covers impartiality, competency of auditors, and separation of consulting and certification operations. BRCGS insists that all approved certification bodies should have such accreditation for the issuing of any certificate.
Which Accreditation Bodies Matter for India
Certification bodies operating in India are typically accredited by one of the following:
- UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) – the accreditation body used by the majority of BRCGS accredited multinational companies around the world, including their Indian subsidiaries
- NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies) – India’s own IAF accredited accreditation body
- IAF MLA signatory accreditation bodies within the home country of the certification body
An accreditation certificate from any of the signatories of the MLA program within IAF has equal status internationally, irrespective of where it was accredited. A UKAS accreditation certificate from the certification body’s office in India is as good as a locally accredited certificate to a retailer in the UK or EU.
Full List of BRCGS Approved Certification Bodies Operating in India
The following list contains the certification bodies that have been working actively in India in respect to BRCGS standards of Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage and Distribution and other relevant BRCGS standards. However, scope and standardization may vary depending on the periodic re-accreditation process by BRCGS.
| Certification Body | Global Headquarters | BRCGS Standards Typically Covered in India |
|---|---|---|
| TÜV SÜD South Asia | Germany | Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage & Distribution, Agents & Brokers |
| SGS India | Switzerland | Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Consumer Products, Storage & Distribution |
| Bureau Veritas India | France | Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage & Distribution, Gluten-Free |
| Intertek India | United Kingdom | Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Consumer Products |
| DNV India | Norway | Food Safety, Packaging Materials |
| NSF India | United States | Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage & Distribution |
| Eurofins Assurance India | France / Luxembourg | Food Safety, Packaging Materials |
Some important facts about this set of BRCGS certification bodies in India:
- TÜV SÜD is one of the oldest certified BRCGS auditors in the country, having been issuing food and feed management system certificates for more than two decades now.
- Eurofins Assurance India has a five-star rating on the BRCGS website, and its accreditation lies with its UK company, while its Indian team manages the scheduling and audit process in India.
- Intertek has been increasing its presence in India through its recent acquisition of the assurance business of SAI Global in 2021.
- The two largest global TICs in the world, namely SGS and Bureau Veritas, have the most comprehensive regional bench of auditors in the Indian food and packaging industry segments.
How to Verify a Certification Body Is Currently Approved
Before scheduling an audit, it is recommended to verify the certification body’s actual scope of accreditation by contacting BRCGS instead of believing a claim found on its website. The scope of accreditation is reassessed periodically and may be extended, reduced, or withdrawn.
Check out the article that describes how you can search for and validate the certificate through the BRCGS Directory.
Comparing BRCGS Certification Bodies: What Actually Differs
Having established that an organization holds accreditation for the appropriate standard, the real distinction lies in the practicalities rather than regulation. Each BRCGS certified organization provides a certificate that carries identical meaning on paper; it is only the service delivery that differs.
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Industry specialisation | Auditors familiar with your product category ask sharper, more relevant questions | Has this auditor audited facilities like mine before? |
| Regional auditor availability | Determines how fast an audit can be scheduled and whether travel costs apply | Do you have auditors based near my facility? |
| Combined audit options | Saves time and cost if you also hold ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, or HACCP | Can this be run as an integrated or combined audit? |
| Remote/blended audit support | Affects scheduling flexibility, especially for document-heavy portions | What proportion of the audit can be conducted remotely? |
| Turnaround for reports and certificates | Export deadlines often hinge on certificate issue date | What’s your average time from audit day to certificate issue? |
How to Choose the Right BRCGS Certification Body for Your Facility
Choosing a BRCGS certification body for food manufacturers, packaging facilities, or logistics will depend on how well the scope, capability, and costs of the service relate to your export needs. Follow this order:
- Ensure scope aligns with the product category. Verify that the certification body is accredited to provide the appropriate BRCGS standard – whether Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage & Distribution, Consumer Products, or Agents & Brokers – not just for “BRCGS” in general.
- Verify the validity of the accreditation. Request the certification body’s current accreditation certificate and ensure that it hasn’t expired or become limited to your standard.
- Check auditor availability. Indian BRCGS auditors usually group around export-oriented centers – such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu – so verify that an auditor will be near you.
- Compare the quote structure. Request a quote on par with the other, including audit days, travel, report writing, and certificate issuing, not just head-to-head comparison of day rate.
- Inquire about combined audit. If you already have ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000, inquire whether the certification body provides a combination audit to reduce redundant audit days.
- Confirm the lead time. If your project is against a retailer/buyer’s deadline, find out how far ahead of time the certification body is scheduling audits.
- Reference clients. An established certification body should be able to refer you to comparable certified facilities within your product category without violating confidentiality policy.
Common Mistakes When Selecting a BRCGS Certification Body
- Making a decision based on cost without verifying if the quotation is inclusive of travel, report writing, and re-audit possibilities
- Not verifying which edition of the standard the certification body audits to at present
- Neglecting the regional availability of auditors, which may cause delays by several weeks
- Thinking that all certification bodies offer identical remote or hybrid audit opportunities, this is not always the case
- Not verifying the accreditation of the certification body directly, rather believing what the certification body claims
Cost Considerations for BRCGS Certification in India
Certification by BRCGS tends to be calculated according to audit days, and the total is based upon the size of the facility, complexity of products, and number of modules that need auditing. Costs differ significantly from one certification body to another and from region to region, so a detailed quote in writing is the only way to make an accurate comparison of two certification bodies on pricing grounds.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the BRCGS licensed certification bodies working in India are TÜV SÜD, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, DNV, NSF, and Eurofins Assurance India.
- A certification body needs to have BRCGS licence as well as ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation from a recognised body such as UKAS, NABCB, or any other IAF MLA signatory.
- One should never trust anything on the website; always check the scope of the certification body.
- The only thing that differentiates one BRCGS certification body from another is the availability of auditors in your region, combined audit option, and turnaround time – not the validity of the certificate.
- It is better to compare the total quote with a complete list than just the day rate.
Conclusion
With the complete list of BRCGS accredited certifying bodies in India, you have very few left once you filter based on your specific product category, region and export market. The bodies that currently hold BRCGS accreditation in India include TÜV SÜD, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, DNV, NSF and Eurofins Assurance India, each of whom could issue you a certificate of equal status internationally.
It is up to you to choose the right certification body who fits in well with your schedule and certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full list of BRCGS approved certification bodies in India?
The major bodies which function in India are TÜV SÜD, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, DNV, NSF, and Eurofins Assurance India. It is always advisable to check the scope with the certifying agency.
How do I choose the right BRCGS certification body for food manufacturing companies?
Compare the certification body’s scope of accreditation according to the product and then match the region’s auditor availability, quote format, and scheduling.
Which certification bodies are approved by BRCGS in India?
TUV SUD, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, DNV, NSF, and Eurofins Assurance India are globally accredited bodies which conduct BRCGS certification in India.
How do I select a BRCGS certification body for my company?
Confirm their accreditation validity, auditor availability in your region, itemised quotes, and also the combined audit opportunity if your company holds other certifications.
Is BRCGS certification body accreditation the same across India and other countries?
Yes. The certificate issued by any body that is accredited through the IAF MLA signatory UKAS, NABCB or their equivalents would enjoy the same international credibility.
Can I switch BRCGS certification bodies mid-cycle?
Yes. Transfers of BRCGS certification bodies are possible and most of the BRCGS certification bodies have a procedure for the transfer of certificates.
Do all BRCGS certification bodies in India audit every BRCGS standard?
No. Every BRCGS certification body is accredited only for certain standards and modules of BRCGS standards.