Next step of certification after ISO 9001?

Hi all,

I work for a small UK based nutraceutical distribution company who are growing and only have ISO 9001 certification. We are looking at gaining further certification to improve the business and compete with some of the larger companies out there.

I have been looking at BRC and ISO 22000 as they obviously revolve around food safety but have their differences, such as GFSI recognition etc.

Does anyone have any advice on what certifications we should look at or recommend the next steps?

Hi all,

 

I work for a small UK based nutraceutical distribution company who are growing and only have ISO 9001 certification. We are looking at gaining further certification to improve the business and compete with some of the larger companies out there.

 

I have been looking at BRC and ISO 22000 as they obviously revolve around food safety but have their differences, such as GFSI recognition etc.

 

Does anyone have any advice on what certifications we should look at or recommend the next steps?

Hi Jack,

There are many similar posts on this Forum.

The most frequent primary decision factor is that the choice depends on what your customer requires.

In UK this is frequently (but not exclusively) BRC.

Hi Jack,

 

There are many similar posts on this Forum.

 

The most frequent primary decision factor is that the choice depends on what your customer requires.

 

In UK this is frequently (but not exclusively) BRC.

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your response, I was leaning towards BRC until someone mentioned that it wouldn't be worth it for our business. However, I do think it would be of use.

My question would be: Do you want to (at least eventually if not immediately) sell to supermarkets or other national / international chains? If so, you'll find it at least much easier with a GFSI certification and many will not even consider your products without it.

Hi all,

 

I work for a small UK based nutraceutical distribution company who are growing and only have ISO 9001 certification. We are looking at gaining further certification to improve the business and compete with some of the larger companies out there.

 

I have been looking at BRC and ISO 22000 as they obviously revolve around food safety but have their differences, such as GFSI recognition etc.

 

Does anyone have any advice on what certifications we should look at or recommend the next steps?

Are you "just" doing distribution, or is there some manufacturing / repacking involved?

If the former then your choices are somewhat more limited, but BRC Agents & Brokers or BRC Storage & Distribution would be options that will potentially open some doors to larger clients.

I'd start by downloading copies of the standards, which are available for free from the BRC Bookshop:

https://www.brcgsboo...ue-3/c-24/p-277

https://www.brcgsboo...ue-2/c-24/p-286

Have a read through, assess how far away from them you are, and looks what resource is available to you / what expertise you have in-house already. If you're a small business then it can sometimes also be useful to bring in a consultant to help set things up, as that usually takes more resource than running and fine tuning an established system.

Are you "just" doing distribution, or is there some manufacturing / repacking involved?

If the former then your choices are somewhat more limited, but BRC Agents & Brokers or BRC Storage & Distribution would be options that will potentially open some doors to larger clients.

I'd start by downloading copies of the standards, which are available for free from the BRC Bookshop:

https://www.brcgsboo...ue-3/c-24/p-277

https://www.brcgsboo...ue-2/c-24/p-286

 

Have a read through, assess how far away from them you are, and looks what resource is available to you / what expertise you have in-house already. If you're a small business then it can sometimes also be useful to bring in a consultant to help set things up, as that usually takes more resource than running and fine tuning an established system.

Thank you for your response pHruit and apologies for the delayed response.

We are likely to go S&D and will be speaking to the directors about bringing in a consultant as I have never handled this before.

Thanks.