2.3.4 Contract Manufacturers

We are what was formerly called SQF Level 3 facility. Our owner is looking at a contract manufacturer for one of our products (he actually has a trial planned next week he just told me about). The site is BRC Certified Grade AA. What do I need to look at in order to comply with 2.3.4 for both the food manufacturing and quality code? Is BRC equivalent to SQF? Should I certify them as I would certify a supplier? Etc.

Provide your company product specifications to contract manufacturer. If the site is already BRC certified it already in compliance to food safety agreements. You can do a contract to specify how  the product should be made. You can still do a yearly audit of the company if you want. I would do a review to ensure that the contract manufacturer is meeting the product .specifications. BRC is equivalent to SQF. 

Your contract manufacturer (they make the product and package it in your packaging - so that for all intents and purposes the product is seen as coming from you) is required to be similar certified as your company - and they are with BRC.  They will need to provide you with a full copy of their most recent BRC audit and then follow your SOP for contract suppliers.