The BRCGS certificate is an organized and systematic one-page document where each detail is included for a purpose. The buyers will use it to approve the supplier, auditors will use it to verify the certification status, while manufacturers will use it to prove that they comply with a certain BRCGS standard. Learning about BRCGS Certificate Information field by field eliminates any uncertainties and makes it easier to use it.
In this blog, we will learn about each of the sections of the BRCGS certificate, understand how the document is laid out, and see how to validate that information using the BRCGS Directory.
Why BRCGS Certificate Information Matters
Certificate data from BRCGS is what the buyer uses when performing the approval process of their supplier. Buyers, retailers, manufacturers, and importers use the certificate in order to make sure that the suppliers’ facility underwent the audit and obtained a current and accredited certificate according to one of the BRCGS standards.
For the certified site, this means having a tool which can be used in the communication process with the many customers without going through separate BRCGS Certificate Verification for each one. This is the reason why all the fields in this document are standardized, as reading this information incorrectly, for example, the scope statement or the expiration date of the certificate, will result in the acceptance of a certificate which does not cover the product or process that the buyer is sourcing.
This is exactly the kind of BRCGS Certificate Information that quality control teams are trained to look through regularly as a part of the vendor onboarding process and supplier review.
BRCGS Certificate Format: How the Document Is Laid Out
This format is consistent among all certification bodies since BRCGS itself dictates what template should be used. A typical certificate consists of one page in PDF form and is broken down into three main sections:
Header: Name of certification body, logo, and reference number of its accreditation organization (such as a UKAS accreditation number).
Body: The name and address of the certified business, BRCGS standard number and its version, grade awarded, scope of the certificate, and date of the audit.
Footer: Authorized signature, certificate verification website link, and reference in BRCGS Directory.
This BRCGS Certificate Format does not vary depending on industry. In the case of a certificate related to Food Safety, Packaging Material, Storage and Distribution, or Agents and Brokers, the field structure remains the same, the only variation being the scope text.
It is purposeful that the certificate format remains constant among all certification bodies. It enables the buyer who reviews multiple certificates from multiple suppliers and who have been audited by multiple certification bodies to be able to compare those certificates field by field without having to familiarize himself with a new format each time.
Field-by-Field Breakdown
The table below breaks down BRCGS Certificate Information field by field, along with what each one confirms.
| Field | What It Confirms |
|---|---|
| Site Name and Address | Legal identity and physical location of the certified site. |
| Site Code | A permanent, unique identifier assigned by the BRCGS Directory; remains fixed even if the site changes certification body. |
| Certification Body Name | The accredited body that conducted the audit and issued the certificate. |
| Accreditation Number | Confirms the certification body is accredited by a recognised national accreditation body (e.g., UKAS). |
| BRCGS Standard & Issue Number | Specifies which BRCGS standard and issue version the site was audited against. |
| Audit Programme | Indicates whether the audit was announced, unannounced, or a blended programme. |
| Date(s) of Audit | The actual date or date range when the on-site audit took place. |
| Achieved Grade | Audit result shown as AA, A, B, C or D, with a ‘+’ suffix for unannounced audits. |
| Product Categories | BRCGS category codes covering the products manufactured at the site. |
| Scope of Certification | Describes the products, processes, or activities included within certification. |
| Exclusions from Scope | Lists any products, activities, or processes specifically excluded from certification. |
| Certificate Issue Date | The date the certification body officially issued the certificate. |
| Certificate Expiry Date | The final date the certificate remains valid before renewal. |
| Re-audit Due Date | The deadline for completing the next audit to maintain certification. |
| Authorised Signatory | Name and title of the certification body representative approving the certificate. |
| Verification Link / QR Code | Allows verification of the certificate’s authenticity and current status through the BRCGS Directory. |
What the Achieved Grade Means
This field is the most checked in relation to the achieved grade, which has an impact on the frequency of recertification. The table below shows how the details change depending on grade.
| Grade | General Meaning | Typical Recertification Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| AA / AA+ | Highest level of compliance, minimal non-conformities. | 12 months |
| A / A+ | Strong compliance with only minor non-conformities. | 12 months |
| B / B+ | Good compliance with some non-conformities to address. | 12 months |
| C / C+ | Meets the standard but with a higher number of non-conformities. | 6 months |
| D / D+ | Marginal pass; close monitoring and follow-up required. | 6 months |
A ‘+’ sign after the grade means that the audit was unannounced and therefore more valuable for buyers because the site did not know about it beforehand.
Understanding BRCGS Certification Scope
Another very poorly understood area of BRCGS Certification Scope is the exclusions line. The scope is a statement, written in clear English, which states exactly what products, processes, or activities were audited, and it is tailored to the specific site rather than being just an excerpt from the standard.
Following right after the scope is the exclusions line. If a manufacturing facility produces more than one product line but not all of those have been certified, the certificate will state that fact. Buyers who do not take the time to read through that exclusion line run the risk of mistakenly thinking their required products are covered.
In addition, it is good practice to compare the scope with the product categories listed. While the scope is written in free text by the specific site, the product categories can only be picked from a pre-defined list within the BRCGS standard.
BRCGS Certificate Details Beyond the Main Fields
A few additional BRCGS Certificate Details are not always obvious on first read but change how the document should be interpreted.
| Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Grade and Recertification Cycle | AA and A grades typically follow a 12-month cycle; lower grades may require a 6-month cycle. |
| Additional Modules | Voluntary modules, such as retailer-specific add-ons, are listed separately and are not part of the core scope. |
| Non-Conformities | Not shown on the certificate itself; these are recorded in the full audit report, available separately through the certification body. |
| Certificate Language | Certificates may be issued bilingually depending on the site’s location, but field structure remains identical. |
How to Verify BRCGS Certificate Information
The use of PDF copies or photocopies of BRCGS certificates is not to be relied on for confirming validity, since both these documents can be tampered with or could be out of date. Only the BRCGS Directory can confirm this information is genuine and current.
- Access the website directory.brcgs.com and search using either the name of the site or the site code stated on the actual certificate.
- Compare the grade, scope, and expiration date on the Directory against the physical certificate.
- Confirm that the certification status of the site is “Certificated” and not suspended or expired.
- If possible, download the actual PDF of the certificate from the Directory rather than from an independent source.
Updating of the Directory takes place within 24 hours of the certification decision, so it always reflects the latest BRCGS Certificate Verification status of the facility. The only entity entitled to add or change information in the Directory of Certified Facilities is the certification body conducting the audit the organization itself cannot influence the information, and BRCGS itself cannot do so either.
Common Errors When Reading a BRCGS Certificate
Most problems relating to supplier compliance arise from mistakes that could have been easily avoided if the certificate had been thoroughly examined before filing or approving it.
- Treating the certificate number and the site code as the same data field, when the site code remains permanent while the certificate number does not.
- Ignoring the scope exclusion line and assuming full coverage of the products.
- Assuming a particular grade is permanent rather than tied to a specific audit cycle.
- Not validating the expiry date of the certificate prior to approving the supplier.
- Accepting a forwarded or scanned copy of a certificate without checking it against the BRCGS Directory first.
FAQs on BRCGS Certificates
What information is included on a BRCGS certificate?
They contain the site details, the standard and issue number, grade attained, scope of certification, any exclusions, and the validity periods.
How to read and understand a BRCGS certificate field by field?
Start with the site details, followed by the standard, the grade, the scope of certification, exclusions, and lastly the issue and expiry dates.
What details are shown on a BRCGS certificate?
The name and address of the company, the certification body details, audit dates, the categories of products certified, the scope, and the authorised signatory.
How do I verify information on a BRCGS certificate?
You can complete BRCGS Certificate Verification by searching the site name or code on the BRCGS Directory for the grade, scope, and expiry date.
Is the BRCGS certificate number the same as the site code?
The site code is permanent, whereas the BRCGS certificate number changes during every cycle of re-certification.
Why does a BRCGS certificate show exclusions from scope?
To let the buyer know about products or actions that were outside the scope of the audit.
How long does a BRCGS certificate stay valid before it needs updating?
The validity of the BRCGS certificate is usually one year, or six months in case of lower grades.
