4 replies to this topic

[Charlie M]

Hello everyone - our plant recently was certified to BRC version 6. A potential customer is requiring suppliers to have SQF level 3 and at this time I don't know if they will accept BRC. Does anyone have a comparison to know where the differences are between the 2 programs you could share. Thanks

[Tony-C]

Hello everyone - our plant recently was certified to BRC version 6. A potential customer is requiring suppliers to have SQF level 3 and at this time I don't know if they will accept BRC. Does anyone have a comparison to know where the differences are between the 2 programs you could share. Thanks

 

Hi Charlie,

 

There are numerous references to quality in the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety which you will more than likely have covered. There are similar requirements in the SQF Code but the main one is that it requires Food Quality Plans as described in Clause 2.4.4 that should be 'developed, effectively implemented, and maintained in accordance with the HACCP method'.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[Tomato Country Girl]

Hello everyone - our plant recently was certified to BRC version 6. A potential customer is requiring suppliers to have SQF level 3 and at this time I don't know if they will accept BRC. Does anyone have a comparison to know where the differences are between the 2 programs you could share. Thanks

 Charlie,

 

That is very unusual my understanding is the customer will normally require you to be compliant as GFSI which both BRC and SQF are. Hope this helps.

[SQFconsultant]

Like Tony said it is the requirements for the "quality plans" that pretty much sums up the difference.

 

My suggestion is that you go to the customer and tell them you are certified with BRC and ask them specifically why they require SQF Code Level III. I think you'll find a pass on this one.

 

Interestingly enough I just had a conversation with a company that requires their vendors to have both BRC and SQF II and taking it further was chatting with another Auditor that is SQF and BRC registered and found that he is now seeing an increase of auditing requests to conduct back to back audits for both schemes - when developed at the same time the documentation can be coded for both with only slight changes and we just had a request from a supplier to do back to back consulting for this purpose. Should be interesting.

[Charles.C]

Like Tony said it is the requirements for the "quality plans" that pretty much sums up the difference.

 

My suggestion is that you go to the customer and tell them you are certified with BRC and ask them specifically why they require SQF Code Level III. I think you'll find a pass on this one.

 

Interestingly enough I just had a conversation with a company that requires their vendors to have both BRC and SQF II and taking it further was chatting with another Auditor that is SQF and BRC registered and found that he is now seeing an increase of auditing requests to conduct back to back audits for both schemes - when developed at the same time the documentation can be coded for both with only slight changes and we just had a request from a supplier to do back to back consulting for this purpose. Should be interesting.

 

Dear GOC,

 

Regarding the SQF3 request, i suppose it is possible the customer is Woolworth's (active in USA ?)

 

Regarding 3rd paragraph, one could argue that this signals a defeat for GFSI (similar to Europe ?).

 

And the opposite for the auditing profession ??

 

Rgds / Charles.C