4 replies to this topic

[packman156]

Does Straw/Plastic Utensil Manufacturing fall under BRC Packaging Materials or Consumer Products.  One of the Certification Bodies says it's consumer products, yet most of the vendors I know do a Packaging Materials Audit.  Thanks for the help.

[SQFconsultant]

If your straws are used to package FOOD, then it is considered packaging -- if not, then it is consumer goods.

[Tony-C]

Hi packman156,

 

I assume that you mean drinking straws which could be reusable (typically plastic) or disposable (which could be plastic or paper based).

 

See BRCGS Global Standard Consumer Products Personal Care and Household Issue 4

 

Issue 4 brings a marked change in structure in the requirements, to reflect the needs of the market. It is composed of two new Standards: Personal Care and Household, and General Merchandise. Each Standard is composed of requirements that can be certificated at two levels: foundation and higher.

Personal Care and Household covers formulated and fabricated products which typically have higher hygiene requirements due to the nature and usage of products. Examples include cosmetics, medical devices, nappies, food wrap and household cleaners.

 

See Appendix 2 Product Categories

Paper Straws will fall into Personal Care and Household > BRC Code 4 > Paper and paper-mix products > Disposable table and party ware (food contact)

 

Plastic Utensils fall into Personal Care and Household > BRC Code 9 > Plastic and rubber products > Household utensils (Plastic Straws would also fall into this)

 

So, your products would fall under BRCGS Global Standard Consumer Products Personal Care and Household Issue 4.

 

Kind regards,

Tony

[Foodworker]

A Position Statement on the Packaging Standard was made last year where the choice of Standard for straws is discussed, P618 V2 26.05.21.

 

It is attached and page 7 is the relevant bit.

 

It is still in my opinion a little fence sitting and the BRC have never understood how to use and/or. 

Attached Files

•  p618-position-statements-for-issue-6-v2-26052021.pdf   225.51KB   7 downloads

[john.kukoly]

You folks seem to be able to pick up the challenging topics. BRCGS had long convoluted discussions on the topic, whether packaging includes materials used to convey food (paper plates, straws, plastic utensils...), and where the cutoff is (a paper QSR destined coffee cup is, but a ceramic eat in restaurant cup is not). In the end, since the standards cover both product safety and product efficacy, and all the standards follow similar formats, we found it could be argued either way (Packaging Standard or Consumer Products Standard) and taking a firm position would be a little arbitrary. 

 

The challenge comes in minimizing the risk of expecting certifications to multiple standards to cover all production in a facility. Think of the two situations:

 

A) a facility extrudes plastic drinking straws and clamshell packaging for fresh fruit. Using the Packaging Standard covers both products under the single certification. 

 

B) a facility extrudes plastic drinking straws and children's toys. Using the Consumer Products Standard covers both. 

 

Arguably, if someone produces all three, one standard won't work to cover everything, but to provide the best flexibility, the position statement above was a compromise to best serve the industry. 

 

Input on the topic is always welcome....