BRC/IoP Packaging Standard Review

Following the launch of The BRC/IoP Packaging Standard in October 2001 the major UK Retailers
set firm deadlines for suppliers of retailer branded packaging to become certificated to the standard.

- Marks & Spencer (by end of 2002)
- Sainsbury's (by April 2003)
- Safeway (by April 2003)
- Co-op (by April 2003)
- Tesco (by April 2003)
- Waitrose (by October 2003)

Now that virtually all of the deadlines have expired what's happening?
Is everyone now certificated?
Are non-certificated suppliers being dropped in favour of certificated suppliers?
Have retailers moved the goalposts and extended the deadlines? If so what are they?
If you have certification to The BRC/IoP Packaging Standard do you feel duped?

I'm thinking of starting a central register of organisations with BRC/IoP Certification - if you've got it why not promote it! The register could include (company name, area/country, date of initial certification, date of expiry, scope, certificate no.). It would mean some work on my part but I think it has mileage - what do you think?

Simon

Hi Simon!
Great idea to get a register together. :D
We (Britton Merlin) have been accredited since November 2002, to category B. We are in Louth, Lincolnshire, and manufacture LDPE & HDPE flexible packaging, plain, printed, converted and laminated as required. B)

One query - has anyone else having trouble getting a registration/accreditation mark from their auditing body for use on company stationery? We, as yet, do not have anything official (like the ISO logo) to put on to advertise our accreditation.

Any ideas?

Mike

Hi Mike,

What I'll do is create a page on the webiste for the register and make a high profile link to it from the index page. If anyone wants to send their details it's probably best to email them to me rather than post them on the forum.

I will have to get back to you on Monday re the logo. Have a great weekend.

Simon

Yet again numerous points dear to my heart.

We have had hygiene certification with some body or other for around 8 years now. Initially customer driven with the carrot that we will be able to add value to our business, differentiate ourselves from our competitors and be able to charge more for our product..

I am still waiting for this to come to fruition..

I have seen a lot more focus since the BRCIOP standard came into play, I have even had enquiries from customers who have scouted the market looking to find a supplier who is certified to the standard.

As yet we have not gained any business due to suppliers not having the standard!! Yet I know of quite a few competitors that do not have the standard..

With respect of a register, I think this is a great idea. My certification body QAICL also think this is a great idea as they publish a register of all certified companies on their website. I do not know of any other Certification Body that does this..

Please see QAICL Register of Companies

With respect to Logos, I have had no problems on this score either. My certification body issued artwork and PDF file explaining the use of logo. This now also includes the UKAS Tick & Crown.

Some certification companies have delayed issuing Logos as they are not yet approved to the UKAS standard and cannot use the tick & crown, as such this may be why logos are not forthcoming..

With respect of a register, I think this is a great idea.  My certification body QAICL also think this is a great idea as they publish a register of all certified companies on their website.  I do not know of any other Certification Body that does this..

Well when one has such a big one there's no need to be shy.

It would be good to get all BRC/IoP Certified companies in one place on the web; I think it might be helpful to the foodies. I'll set up the register and contact the certification bodies to see if they are willing to provide their customers details for some free promotion.

I had a look at a Lawlabs certificate today and it has the Lawlabs logo and the UKAS logo. All of the Accredited Certification Bodies are entitled to use and should be able to provide the UKAS logo to their customers.

Simon

OK the page for Companies Registered to the BRC/IoP Packaging Standard has been set up here. To keep it consistent I have set up a submission page here. Please let me know if you find any bugs. At a later date I will create a link to the register from the home page of the website. Let's hope the extra exposure brings some well deserved business to the packaging guys and gals who deserve it.

:)
Simon

Simon,
as regards to retailers dropping suppliers who do not have full accreditation to the Standard, I'm sure that this would be impossible due to the current total number of 'non conforming suppliers'

There is certainly evidence of extended deadlines, in fact 6 months after the deadlines were set many - suppliers are still not accredited.

I have personally found that major retailers are willing to give more time to suppliers who can prove that they are taking the Standard seriously and are in some part working towards final accreditation.

However, I would be slightly miffed if I was a supplier who had gained full accreditation by April 2003 and still found myself competing for supply against suppliers who had not embraced the Standard.

What is your opinion on this ??

I have personally found that major retailers are willing to give more time to suppliers who can prove that they are taking the Standard seriously and are in some part working towards final accreditation.

Happy Monday Rob,

I think you have to take a common-sense approach. IMO as long as a supplier demonstrates commitment and can show some evidence that they have started the journey then I would say that an individual customer / supplier agreement including time-scale for completion would be acceptable.

However, I think now could be the right time for the retailers to re-establish an agreed, definite and single deadline for certification to the standard (UK and Non UK suppliers). Realistically this should be something like 31st December 2004, after all organisations were given 3 years for the ISO9001: 2000 changeover.

This deadline must be acted upon mercilessly.

Regards,
Simon