Scope of BRCGS- Repack and Defrost traded gods

Hi

The scope of our BRC cert is primary production of fish. We have a big freezer for traded goods that is excluded from the scope. The problem is frozen raw and cooked prawn are repacked only once a month for few hours for retail sale. 

Other traded goods are fresh mussels and oysters. sometimes fresh mussels come in 10 kg bag and we need to repack it in smaller amount like 1 kg and send it to customers.

third thing is defrosting frozen prawn and squid (rarely) for customers.

Do you think we have to change the scope and all traded goods except these products can be excluded from the scope or not?

Page 100, from BRC issue 9 mention:

1.6.2 Exclusion from scope

the exclusion of products produced at a site will only be acceptable where:

- the excluded products can be clearly differentiated from products whitin scope and

- the products are produced in a physically segregated area of the factory.

All the mentioned activities in my first post, are done in segregated area from primary production for fish. I think they can be excluded from scope. Can anyone help me for that, please?

As long as their is no inter-mix of activities it can stay excluded.

Hi Persian girl,

For distinctly different products handled in a segregated area you should not have a problem with an exclusion.

BRCGS states: “Where excluded, this will be recorded as an exclusion from scope on the audit report and on the certificate.” So it might be worth confirming with your certification body in case they wish to elaborate on the exclusion.

Kind regards,

Tony