Food safety is becoming more important, as consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality and safety of the products they buy. This is where BRCGS certification steps in, the gold standard in global food safety. By complying with BRCGS standards, businesses not only gain consumer trust but also establish powerful systems for ensuring product safety and quality. The certification helps streamline operations, improve process efficiency, and reduce compliance-related challenges.
This blog will provide in-depth insights about BRCGS Certification, go through it, and resolve all your queries.
- Who Needs BRCGS Certification?
- How do I get a BRC Certification?
- What are the types of BRCGS Standards?
- What are the BRCGS Food Safety Standard – Key Clauses?
- What are the benefits of BRCGS?
- What is the cost of BRCGS certification in India?
- How Legal4sure can help you get BRCGS certification in India easily?
By the end of the reading of this blog, you will have a clear picture of BRCGS Certification. Secure your BRCGS Certification today. Book a consultation with our experts and take the first step!
What is BRCGS Certification?
BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) is a global quality and safety certification. It sets some boundaries or criteria for BRCGS food safety, production, packaging, storage, and distribution to make sure product safety and quality. A BRCGS certification shows dedicated businesses that deliver safe products with high standards of quality. Small or large organizations in all industries can use BRCGS certification to improve their business operations.
The BRCGS Food Safety Standard has set the benchmark for nearly 25 years. With over 22,000 sites in more than 130 countries, this standard is accepted by 70% of the top 10 global retailers, also, 60% of the top 10 quick-service restaurants, and 50% of the top 25 manufacturers. (Source). The (BRC) British Retail Consortium was founded in 1996 by retailers who wanted to spread food safety standards across the supply chain. In 2019, BRC was rebranded as BRCGS to reflect its global reach to set high standards in food safety and quality. BRCGS has evolved into a broad expansion that now handles food as well as packaging storage and distribution along with consumer products and retail.
Types of BRCGS Standards
BRCGS gives various standards created for different sectors:
BRC Food Safety Certification: In this standard, the focus is on food safety management systems, making sure that food products are safe, legal, and of high quality.
BRCGS Packaging and Packaging Material: In this, the focus is on all the manufacturers of their packaging materials, making sure that the packaging is safe and suitable for the users. Packaging materials like BRCGS certification for pouch packaging factories and BRCGS for paper bag factories are what people are looking for in today’s market!
BRCGS Storage and Distribution: In this standard main focus is on various aspects such as logistics operations, making sure that products are stored and transported safely.
BRCGS Consumer Products: This standard highlights safety, quality, and legality for a wide range of consumer products.
BRCGS Retail: This standard is designed for retailers, focusing on product safety, quality, and operational criteria.
BRCGS Agents and Brokers: This standard applies to companies that buy, sell, or ease the trade of products, making sure they maintain high standards of safety and quality.
BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification Program – Makes sure that products are safely manufactured for those with gluten sensitivities.
BRCGS Plant-Based Certification Program – Validates plant-based products for authenticity and safety.
Who Needs BRCGS Certification?
BRCGS certification helps businesses prove their products are safe and meet industry standards. Here’s who benefits:
➜ Food Producers: Ensures food is safe and meets quality standards, boosting trust with retailers and customers.
➜ Plant-Based Food Producers: Confirms products are free from animal ingredients, meeting consumer demand.
➜ Packaging Manufacturers: Verifies packaging materials are safe for food and other products.
➜ Logistics Providers: Ensures safe storage and transport of goods, reducing risks.
BRCGS Food Safety Standard – Key Clauses
| Clause No. | Clause Title | Description |
| 1 | Senior Management Commitment | Ensures top management is committed to food safety, quality, and continuous improvement. |
| 2 | The BRC Food Safety Plan – HACCP | Implementation of a HACCP-based system to identify, evaluate, and control food safety hazards. |
| 3 | Food Safety & Quality Management System | Establishes documented policies, procedures, and records for food safety compliance. |
| 4 | Site Standards | Covers facility layout, maintenance, cleaning, pest control, and waste management to ensure hygiene and safety. |
| 5 | Product Control | Ensures raw materials, packaging, and finished products meet safety and quality standards, including allergen control. |
| 6 | Process Control | Covers production and process management, including traceability, calibration, and foreign body detection. |
| 7 | Personnel | Focuses on staff hygiene, training, and health monitoring to maintain food safety. |
| 8 | High-Risk, High-Care & Ambient High-Care Production Risk Zones | Defines additional controls for areas handling ready-to-eat or high-risk foods. |
| 9 | Requirements for Traded Products | Ensures safety and compliance for products bought from suppliers and resold without further processing. |
Benefits of BRCGS Certification
Global Recognition
BRCGS certification is recognized worldwide, which can help companies expand their market reach and set an image globally. This recognition makes sure that certified companies have international standards and maintain all food safety and production practices healthily which makes them trustworthy brands across the world.
Consumer Trust
In a business, the most important thing is consumer trust. Brands work hard to gain their customer’ trust. As concerns are growing about food safety, consumers are more observant about the products they buy. BRCGS certification company keeps safety and quality at the top and ensures trust and loyalty.
Compliance with Regulations
BRCGS helps businesses follow legal requirements in different markets. This compliance is important to save yourself from legal issues and potential recalls, which can be costly and damaging to a brand’s reputation.
Improved Business Performance
Applying BRCGS standards can lead to improved operational workflow, reduced waste, and increased product quality. This improvement translates to better business performance and profitability.
Thinking of getting BRCGS certification to grow your business? Contact us now!
12 fundamentals of the BRCGS Certification
BRCGS certification ensures food safety and quality in manufacturing. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key requirements:
- Commitment from Management
Business owners and managers must actively support food safety, provide necessary resources, and regularly review processes for improvement. - Food Safety Plan (HACCP)
A dedicated team should identify potential food safety risks and create a plan to control them, following industry guidelines. - Regular Internal Checks
Businesses must conduct routine internal inspections to make sure food safety procedures are effective and followed properly. - Supplier Approval & Monitoring
Raw materials and packaging should come from trusted suppliers who meet BRCGS food safety standards. - Fixing Issues & Preventing Problems
If something goes wrong, businesses should find the root cause, correct it, and take steps to prevent future issues. - Tracking Products
A system should be in place to trace ingredients from suppliers to finished products, making it easy to track and recall if needed. - Factory Layout & Workflow
The factory setup should help maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination. - Cleanliness & Hygiene
Work areas, equipment, and staff must maintain high hygiene standards to avoid food contamination. - Managing Allergens
Special care should be taken when handling allergenic ingredients to prevent accidental mixing with other foods. - Safe Operations
Machinery and processes must function correctly to maintain food safety. - Correct Labelling & Packaging
Labels should be accurate to prevent mislabeling, which is a major reason for food recalls. - Employee Training
All staff handling food should be properly trained to understand food safety and hygiene requirements.
Cost of BRCGS Certification in India
Costs can vary, but here’s a general idea for BRCGS certification in India:
| Criteria | Cost |
| Consulting & Training | ₹1,64,000 – ₹8,20,000 |
| Audit Fees | ₹2,46,000 – ₹8,20,000 |
| Documentation and Record Keeping | ₹82,000 – ₹4,10,000 |
| Corrective Actions | Variable, depending on needs |
| Annual Recertification | Usually, a percentage of the initial audit fee |
Want to know more about cost of BRCGS certification in India? Get a Free consultation from our experts Today!
How Do I Get A BRCGS Certification In India?
Getting the BRCGS certification includes various steps:
1. Gap Analysis
The foremost thing for a BRC audit is to analyze the gaps and the different factors in which the brand is lagging. Before the official BRC audit, companies often conduct a gap analysis to find the areas of improvement. BRCGS consultants analyze the gaps and help businesses prepare for the certification audit by filling in the gaps accurately.
2. Establish Food Safety Systems
- Define your BRC Food Safety Policy and Objectives.
- Assign roles and responsibilities to a core team.
- Appoint a Team Leader to oversee the process.
3. Documentation
Documentation is important for BRC certification. Companies are required to maintain complete documentation of their processes, procedures, and controls. This documentation is crucial for showcasing compliance with BRCGS food safety standards.
- Food Safety Plan (HACCP Plan)
- Prerequisite Programs (PRPs & Operational PRPs)
- Validation & Verification Plans
- Risk Assessment for raw materials, packaging & outsourced processes
- Food Defense & Security Risk Assessment (VACCP & TACCP).
4. Training
Training can make a good impact thus, it is a major aspect of BRCGS certification. Employees must be trained on BRCGS requirements and understand their roles in maintaining compliance.
5. Audit
A certification body conducts an audit or thorough research to assess the company’s compliance with BRCGS standards. The BRC audit includes a thorough review of documentation, processes, and practices.
6. Corrective Actions
If any issues are found during the BRC audit, the company needs to fix them. These fixes are required to get the BRC certification.
7. Final Certification
Once the company fulfills all the BRCGS requirements, it gets the BRC certification, which is applicable for a specified period. Regular audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance.
Download Your Free BRC Audit Checklist
A BRC audit can feel stressful, but good preparation makes it easier. Our free BRC Audit Checklist helps you understand the key requirements, spot gaps, and get ready for a successful audit. Download it now and make your BRCGS audit process smooth and hassle-free!
Get the Complete BRC Audit Checklist
How to Check Your BRCGS Certification Status Online
If your business is BRCGS certified, you can check your certification status easily online. BRCGS provides login details via email when you get certified. You can use these credentials to log in to the BRCGS Directory website, where you’ll find details like:
- Your company name and address
- Certification scope and products covered
- Any exclusions (if applicable)
- Contact details
- Certificate issue date and validity
- Geolocation of your certified site
Simply visit the BRCGS Directory, enter your login details, and access your certification information anytime.
We promise you that all your queries will be resolved after reading this. However, if you still have more queries or want in-depth information, please request a BRCGS audit enquiry to Legal4sure and just the business growth together.
Why Choose Legal4sure For BRCGS Certification Services In India?
Expertise in BRCGS Standards
Our team of industry experts is proficient in various BRCGS Global Standards, including:
- BRCGS for Food Safety
- BRCGS for storage and distribution
- BRCGS for consumer products
- BRCGS for packaging materials
End-to-end BRCGS certification support
Legal4sure provides complete assistance throughout the certification journey from initial gap analysis to final audit readiness. Our BRCGS certification services in India include preparation and maintenance of documents, internal audit and training, corrective action planning, and coordination with approved BRCGS certification bodies.
Customized and Cost-effective Packages
We understand that each team is unique and different. That’s why we offer customizable BRCGS certification packages that fit your specific needs, whether you’re an MSME or a large-scale exporter. Our solutions are transparent, value-driven, and competitively priced.
Proven track record
We have helped hundreds of clients achieve BRCGS certification easily. From food startups to established packaging units, our clients trust us for our hands-on approach, deep industry knowledge, and timely execution.
Questions? Ready To Schedule An Audit? Get BRCGS Certification Solutions with legal4sure
Legal4sure helps you to complete all the required steps with perfection and effectiveness to make sure that your food business or business related to food follows all the BRCGS food safety standard rules. Having served 400+ clients with BRCGS implementation with 50+ BRCGS certifications, we at Legal4sure, the top BRCGS consultant in India, have enhanced our skills and attained expertise. Get in touch with us right now to find out how we can help you get the required BRCGS certification in your company in the most efficient way possible.
Contact No: +91-9310655040, +91 9971894121
Email: info@legal4sure.in
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BRCGS certification?
BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) certification is a globally recognized food safety and quality certification program. It provides a framework for managing food safety, integrity, legality, and quality within the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing, and packing industries. This certification helps companies show their commitment to producing safe, high-quality products and can increase consumer confidence.
How long does it take to get BRCGS certified?
It usually takes 3 to 6 months, depending on your current level of compliance and business readiness.
How long is the BRCGS certificate valid?
A BRCGS certificate is typically valid for 12 months, after which you’ll need to undergo a recertification audit.
Is BRCGS certification mandatory in India?
It’s not legally mandatory, but many international buyers and retailers require BRCGS certification as a supplier qualification standard.
