The BRCGS Grading System is a process through which the results of an audit are translated into a certificate grade. All sites audited on the basis of any of the BRCGS Global Standards get an audit report detailing the non-conformities and are categorized as critical, major, and minor. The number and classification of non-conformities along with the audit score determines if a site gets a grade of AA, A, B, C, or D. This article will give a brief on the BRCGS Grading System and how critical, major, and minor non-conformities are scored.
What Is the BRCGS Grading System
The BRCGS Grading System is a scoring system for all BRCGS Global Standards – Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage and Distribution, Agents and Brokers. It includes two components: audit score calculated numerically depending on the number and severity of non-conformities, and classification of non-conformities as critical, major and minor. Both components form BRCGS Audit Grade awarded to a particular facility.
The BRCGS Grading System has been introduced in order to provide a benchmarked means of comparison between certified facilities irrespective of which country and which commodity group certification is in question. The BRCGS Audit Grade of a particular facility is published on the BRCGS Directory website and visible to any approved buyer who makes a search by that supplier.
Thanks to the standardization of this criterion, the buyer working with two different countries may have a fair opportunity to compare the suppliers without reading all the reports in detail. It is one of the reasons why BRCGS Grading System becomes a benchmark in terms of procurement decision making when food, packaging and storage supply chains are considered. In addition, understanding of the grading mechanics will help a facility to prepare for an audit cycle in advance.
Understanding BRCGS Non-Conformities
Non-conformities are raised when the auditor notes that any one of the clauses within the standard has not been adhered to. BRCGS Non-conformities are not considered as one unit; each non-conformity is judged based on the extent of impact that the deviation could have had on the safety, legality, or quality of the product. This is what makes finding a critical BRCGS non-conformity from other findings that are just a documentation gap.
At the time of auditing, the auditor will note the non-conformities in terms of the clauses in the standard that are affected by it, together with objective evidence like a photo, a document, or a process being observed. This is because the objective evidence can be used as evidence of corrective actions later on, after the completion of the audit process. The certification body will look at the objective evidence before assigning the final grade.
Critical Non-Conformity BRCGS
Critical Non-Conformity BRCGS is reported whenever there is any threat or risk directly related to the safety, legality, or integrity of the certification program itself. Critical non-conformities are very few and quite severe. They usually lead to the withholding or withdrawal of certification until the problem is resolved and validated.
- Any indication of deliberate fabrication of documentation or deception in the audit process.
- An instance where there is active compromise of product safety and/or legality.
- Any failure that compromises the validity of the certificate itself.
Major Non-Conformity BRCGS
Major Non-Conformity in BRCGS is the result of a serious deviation from a certain clause in the standard or a group of minor deviations in the same clause that when combined constitute an important weakness. However, it does not prevent certification, but rather needs to be documented, and corrective action is needed within a specified period of time.
- A HACCP food safety plan with a critical flaw that has not been addressed
- Failure in a procedure occurring repeatedly in various audit sections
- An action step written down on paper but not implemented
Minor Non-Conformities
Minor non-conformity is an isolated instance where there is no current danger, but it is a departure from what is required in the Standard. Examples of minor non-conformities include missing signature in routine logs, a small breach in the frequency of records, or minor labeling discrepancy. Minor non-conformities contribute to the total score of the audit, but they carry fewer points than major or critical non-conformities.
How Does the BRCGS Grading System Calculate Audit Scores
How do BRCGS scoring systems calculate their audit scores? Scores for each non-conformity found through an audit depend on its category, and these scores are summed up for the total score for the audit. Critical non-conformities are the most weighted, major are medium-weighted, and minor non-conformities are the least-weighted. The smaller the total score, the better grade received due to low amount and severity of non-conformities found during the audit.
Also, this scoring method depends on the audit type. Announced audits and unannounced audits have slightly different scores because unannounced audits can get the highest possible grade – AA. That is one of the main reasons why some sites prefer unannounced audits through the BRCGS Grading System.
It will help a great deal to view the score in terms of a continuous deduction instead of the toggle switch for passing or failing each individual clause. It is possible that a location may have only a few non-conformities that fall under different clauses of the Standard yet emerge with an excellent score as these deductions are small when each is taken individually. The presence of even one major or critical non-conformity will lead to a deduction that will move the site into the next lower grade band; hence, the effort put into preparing for an audit tends to be put in the clauses that are likely to yield major non-conformities.
How Are BRCGS Audit Grades Determined
How is the BRCGS audit grade decided after the total score is obtained? The BRCGS Audit Grade is decided by aligning the total score, as well as whether or not critical or major nonconformities were issued, with predetermined grade bands contained in the Standard. If a critical nonconformity was issued, then the site will not be awarded the top grade regardless of the numerical score.
In case of any critical non-conformities being pointed out, the certification is not even considered until they have been fixed and checked. No matter what other criteria there are, it will never happen.
These bands for the grades are just examples; the certification organization uses the exact figures which are defined by the currently existing version of the specific BRCGS Global Standard. Why? Because such figures may vary between different issues of that standard. What remains constant is the general principle: The combination of a low cumulative score and no major/critical findings is the path to AA and A, while the combination of increasing number of major findings and higher score leads to C and D. If the site gets a D grade on the first audit, no certification will be possible.
Difference Between Critical, Major, and Minor Non-Conformities in BRCGS Audits
What is the difference between critical, major, and minor non-conformities in BRCGS? The difference lies in terms of their risk level, scale, and timeframe for corrective actions needed for each.
- Critical: imminent danger to safety, legality, or certification process; could preclude certification completely
- Major: significant or systemic failure to comply with the requirements of a clause; needs to be addressed by a documented correction within a time frame
- Minor: one-time, low-risk non-conformity; needs to be corrected but will not jeopardize the entire certification process
- The scoring weight decreases from critical to major to minor, impacting the final audit score
- Cumulative minor non-conformities in a particular clause can result in a major finding by the auditor
Impact of Non-Conformities on BRCGS Grading System Outcomes
The combined impact of non-conformances according to the BRCGS Grading System does not amount to mere addition. An establishment that has many minor non-conformances but no major and critical ones may receive high grades despite having many non-conformances, while an establishment with any major non-conformances will be automatically downgraded despite the fact that the remaining audit results may be very clean. Such a grading system remains oriented towards risk management rather than the volume of paperwork.
As the grade received by an establishment is visible in the BRCGS Directory, the type of non-conformance received by it directly influences its business performance. A B or C grade may lead to further investigations even when all non-conformances are already solved.
As such, for businesses involved in exports and manufacturing for several international customers, it is important to recognize that the BRCGS Grading System is not merely a system for maintaining compliance; rather, it is a scorecard that impacts the time taken to establish a business relationship with an international buyer. For example, a consistent AA/A grade in audit periods typically limits the need for additional due diligence on the part of the buyer, while varying grades prompt further investigation.
How to Prepare for a Favorable BRCGS Grading System Outcome
BRCGS Audit sites can mitigate their risk of receiving major and critical non-conformances by concentrating their preparation efforts in the areas of the Standard that carry the most weight.
- Conduct an internal audit of the entire Standard prior to the audit for certification, not just a checklist audit
- Ensure that the HACCP food safety plan is up-to-date and reflects the practice on the production floor
- Make sure all non-conformances in the previous audit cycle are closed off before the next audit period opens
- Keep records complete and timely, as deficiencies tend to become non-conformances in the small things
- Provide training to staff members on corrective action, as re-occurring non-conformances in one area can turn into major
Key Takeaways
- The BRCGS Grading System involves the audit score and the severity of the non-conformities to derive the final grade
- A Critical Non-Conformity BRCGS will prevent certification regardless of the total score
- A Major Non-Conformity BRCGS will limit the maximum grade and will need evidence of corrective action
- Minor non-conformities are given the least weight but can escalate to other grades if repeated in the same clause
- Grades range from AA to D, with the shorter validity period for each lower grade
FAQs
How does the BRCGS grading system calculate audit scores?
Non-conformities earn points in accordance with their categories, and the total is compared to pre-set grade bands for setting the final grade.
What is the difference between critical, major, and minor non-conformities in BRCGS?
A critical non-conformity endangers health or the credibility of the certification process, a major non-conformity is a significant failure of the clause, and a minor non-conformity is a stand-alone issue without major risks.
How are BRCGS audit grades determined?
Audit grades are established through the use of total audit scores and the presence of critical or major non-conformities in an audit.
Can a site get an AA grade with a major non-conformity?
No, a major non-conformity precludes a grade higher than AA and A, despite a low overall audit score.
What happens if a critical non-conformity is found?
Certification will be withheld or rescinded pending rectification of the problem and confirmation thereof by the certifying agency.
Does the BRCGS grading system treat announced and unannounced audits the same way?
No, there is a slightly different scoring scale for unannounced audits, which is the way to an AA grade.
How long is a certificate valid after receiving a C or D grade under the BRCGS grading system?
A certificate with grade C is only valid for 6 months while a D grade in the first audit means a re-audit and not a certificate.