BRCGS certification is a globally known standard established to help companies attain food safety, packaging, storage, distribution, and other sectors. It gives complete guidelines to make sure that food production and handling processes comply with the highest food safety standards. If you want to achieve the BRCGS certification, then it is important to understand the costs associated with this certification, this will help you to make a better decision. This blog will find the different factors that influence the cost of BRCGS certification and provide a breakdown to help you plan your budget.
What Is BRCGS Certification Cost
The Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard (BRCGS), is a main set of requirements which are GFSI’s (Global Food Safety Institute) a good mark for food safety, products, packaging materials, storage and distribution, and more. They set some standards for companies to bring their products to market internationally while checking consistently product safety, quality, hazard and operation control, and legality, all while having standard multi-purposes for manufacturers, distributors, or supply chain contributors alike.
Preparation Steps for BRCGS Certification
Before starting your journey to get BRCGS certification, it’s important to have a good management system in place. This will help your brand grow. Focus on the food safety edition of the BRCGS standards. You need to have a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) based food safety program. This program should include certain requirements like:
➜ Processes for transportation and storage
➜ Maintenance procedures
➜ Staff training
➜ Cleaning and pest control
➜ Handling customer complaints
➜ Managing allergens and foreign materials
It’s also important that your food safety plan has the full support of senior management. They need to be dedicated to following all the principles or standards of the BRCGS standards.
Read more: Fix BRCGS Non-Conformities In Indian Food Factories
Costs for Preparing for BRCGS Certification
➜ Purchasing the Standard
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Costs range from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 depending on the version and additional documents.
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Some free or basic versions may be available online.
➜ Training Costs
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HACCP training: ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000 for a 2-day course.
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Internal Auditor training: ₹30,000 to ₹70,000.
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Online training options: ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
➜ Facility Upgrades & Implementation
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Varies widely; typically ₹50,000 to several lakhs based on required improvements.
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Includes hygiene, segregation, maintenance, and small details like signage and tools.
➜ Consulting & Gap Analysis
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Consultant fees: ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 per hour.
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Full gap analysis: ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 depending on facility size.
➜ Audit Costs
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Certification audit: ₹1,00,000 to ₹3,00,000.
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Includes inspection, report, and certification decision.
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Travel and accommodation charges may be extra.
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Cost estimate provided by certification body before audit.
Factors Influencing The Cost Of BRCGS Certification
The first step is to get a copy of the BRCGS standard. You can purchase the standard and additional guidance documents directly from the BRCGS website. The cost typically ranges from ₹15,000 to ₹48,000, depending on the version and extra guidance you choose. Alternatively, you can download a free, locked version of the BRCGS Food standard from their website to get started.
➜ Scope of Certification: The first thing that can impact your cost for this certification. This includes your facility, the number of employees, and operational terms. A larger, more complex operation will require more time and resources to audit, leading to higher costs similarly smaller operations require less time, and thus, cost will determined accordingly.
➜ Consulting and Training Fees: Getting the BRCGS audit certification often requires consulting and training services for which you need to pay. These services can help your team understand the standards and implement necessary changes. The cost of these services can depend on the consultant’s expertise and the level of support they provide to you.
➜ Audit Fees: The audit itself is a major part of the certification cost. This includes the fees for the auditor’s time, travel charges, and any review of the audits that may be required. The audit fee can vary based on the certification body you choose and the exact requirements of your industry.
➜ Documentation and Record Keeping: To get this certification proper documentation and record-keeping are important. This may include creating new documents, updating the previous ones, or applying the new record-keeping systems. These activities can collect additional costs, especially if you need to hire external help.
➜ Corrective Actions and Improvements: After the audit, you may need to make the required changes or make improvements to meet the BRCGS standards. These costs can vary widely depending on the nature and extent of the changes required. It’s important factor fit the potential costs into your budget.
Breakdown of BRCGS Certification Costs
While the exact cost of BRCGS certification can be tricky to define because it depends on your industry. But still, here’s a general breakdown to help you understand the expected expenses:
Cost Component | Estimated Range (USD) |
Consulting & Training | $2,000 – $10,000 |
Audit Fees | $3,000 – $10,000 |
Documentation & Record Keeping | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Corrective Actions & Improvements | Variable |
Annual Recertification | Percentage of initial audit fee |
How to Manage and Optimize BRCGS Certification Costs?
➜ Choose the Right Certification Body: The most important tip is to choose the right certification body for you. Different certification bodies may have different fee structures. Compare options to find the one that gives the best as per your specific needs.
➜ Prepare Complete Analysis: Spend your time in thorough preparation, including staff training and internal reviews, which can reduce the need for costly corrective actions.
➜ Use Internal Resources: Whenever possible, use internal resources for documentation and improvements to save on consulting fees.
➜ Plan for Recertification: BRCGS certification requires annual recertification. Plan for these costs in your budget to avoid any issues.
Read More: Fast-Track BRCGS Certification In India – Legal4sure
Legal4sure Consultation Process for BRCGS certification
➜ Starting with Powerful consultation & Gap Analysis – This involves a complete analysis of the processes you were working on, where gaps are found and correction actions are used for a smooth transition to BRCGS requirements.
➜ Checking Your Complete Documents – Our team members review relevant documents, policies, and records that you currently have, making sure they comply with BRCGS packaging standards.
➜ Helping You Put It in Place (Implementation) – We take you step-by-step through how to implement BRCGS standards in your packaging operations for a successful transition.
➜ Training to Spot and Manage Risks– Equips your team to find/manage/minimize risks in packaging production in compliance.
➜ Fixing Issues and Improving Processes – In the case of finding issues, we quickly work to implement appropriate corrective actions to bring the certification up to standard.
➜ Working with the Certification Team – We help in selecting and coordinating with an accredited certification body for a hassle-free audit process.
➜ Ongoing Support After Certification – Even after certification, we offer ongoing support to maintain compliance and prepare for future audits.
Partner with Legal4sure for Easy BRCGS Compliance
Partner with Legal4sure for your BRCGS certification and experience trusted, detailed audit reports, expert auditors, and fast, reliable service tailored to your needs. We ensure full compliance while keeping BRCGS certification cost manageable. Ready to simplify your certification journey with a team that truly understands your requirements? Visit our website for the latest updates or reach out today. Let’s get started on securing your BRCGS certification efficiently and affordably—just one call away!
Get Certified with Legal4sure
Partner with Legal4sure for expert guidance and hassle-free BRCGS certification. We simplify the process, ensure full compliance, and help you achieve certification quickly and affordably. Start today!
FAQs
1. What is the total cost of getting BRCGS certified?
The cost depends on your company’s size and industry. On average, it ranges from ₹1,64,000 – ₹8,20,000 for audits, plus additional costs for training, documentation, and any required improvements.
2. Why does BRCGS certification cost vary?
The cost varies based on factors like company size, number of employees, operational complexity, and audit scope. Larger facilities with complex operations usually pay more than smaller businesses.
3. Are there ways to reduce BRCGS certification costs?
Yes! You can lower costs by training your team in advance, using internal resources for documentation, and choosing an affordable certification body that fits your needs.