8 replies to this topic

[Koko LMQ]

BRC GLOBAL STANDARD -
STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION


Meeting the requirements of the BRC Storage and Distribution Standard ensures best practice standards are developed, implemented and maintained for any organisation involved in the storage and/or distribution of goods.

Storage and distributor companies can be certified against this Standard to demonstrate their competence in maintaining product safety and integrity.

The Standard is equally relevant to companies storing and/or distributing food, consumer goods and packaging. The Standard is applicable to all forms of transportation.

Storage and distribution is the link between all stages of the product supply chain and retail. The introduction and the implementation of this Standard represents the efforts made to ensure product safety and integrity through the supply chain.

Key Features
The Standard contains separate modules for the different sectors within the supply chain, namely storage, distribution, wholesaling and contracted specialist services offered by storage companies such as:

- Product Inspection/Sorting
- Contract Packing (Repacking, Assembly Packing)
- Quantity Control Inspection
- Contract Chilling/Freezing/Defrost Operations

EU Regulations (No. 178/2002, No. 852/2004) legally oblige food storage and distribution companies to ensure systems are in place to supply safe and legal products.

[Simon]

Thanks NY.

Simon

[joyfranks]

Hi There,

The lastest BRC standard is with us and was published on the 21st August. Does anyone have any interest in this standard. If anyone would like some information please let me know.

[Simon]

Hi There,

The lastest BRC standard is with us and was published on the 21st August. Does anyone have any interest in this standard. If anyone would like some information please let me know.

Definitely Joy, what have you got?

Simon

[cazyncymru]

Definitely Joy, what have you got?

Simon

oh yes please!

[jamesgibb]

hello all,

I just thought I'd update people on this topic.

UKAS have launched a Pilot programme for the BRC Transport and storage standard. http://www.ukas.com/...on_Standard.asp

BUT....

The pilot programme is not due to finish until January 2008, so no certificate until then.

ALSO...

UKAS are refusing to accept any applications from CB's to include transportation and storage in their scope for ISO22000 until ISO22003 is finally published.

So...

If you're looking to get approved for storage and transportation any time soon you're going to be dissapointed.

Although not good news perhaps a little bit helpful?

James

[joyfranks]

oh yes please!

Hi There,

Here you go hope it helps

The standard was developed to assist retailers and other users in their fulfilment of legal obligations and protection of the consumer, by providing a common basis for the evaluation of companies storing and distributing products. Since the introduction of the EU general food law regulations 2002 and the general product safety directive 2005, the obligations placed upon the retailer to ensure product safety and the systems they have introduced have now become best practice across much of the supply chain. The principles of the standard provide a means of ensuring the critical elements of their and their suppliers due diligence system are satisfied.

Technical evaluation of the storage and distribution chain forms only part of the customers due diligence system, and the acceptance for a company to supply rests with the individual customer.

The standard requires

- The adoption and implementation of a hazard and risk analysis and ( in the case of food its requires HACCP)
- A documented and effective quality management system
- The control of environmental standards, products, processes and personnel.

The standard sets out the requirements for the storage, distribution, wholesaling and contracted services for:

- Pre-packaged and loose foods
- Packaging materials
- Consumer products

There are specific modules for each activity undertaken and the standard specifies the requirements for the following modules:

- Storage
- Distribution
- Wholesale
- Contracted services (pre packed products only)





Certification to the standard will become a requirement by UK retailers for supply chain throughout Europe. Food storage and distribution companies must comply with EU regulations (No 178/2002, 852/2004). This will have a direct effect as these businesses are now classed as food businesses as such have legal obligations to supply safe and legal products.

The standard meets the minimum requirements for legislation and includes hazard analysis and HACCP systems. The storage and distribution standard encompasses the fundamental principles of the existing industry and retailers own standards. It is not intended to replace the requirement of any legislation, where this legislation requires a higher standard for a specific industry sector.

The drivers are country specific in that the standard owner is the BRC (British retailer consortium). UK retailers use storage and distribution companies throughout the UK and Europe and in addition have their own warehousing and distribution centres throughout Europe. Food manufacturers will use the standard within their supply chain to ensure due diligence and monitoring of their suppliers and/or contracted warehousing/transport. The industry sectors are warehousing, storage, transportation, and contracted services such as contract packing of finished goods.

Companies will be all logistics related businesses from large multi site operations to companies with single storage site facilities.

- A single standard and protocol that allows an evaluation by third party certification bodies which shall be accredited to ISO/IEC guide 65
- Single verification commissioned by the manufacturer, agent, importer, or supplier, in line with an agreed evaluation frequency, will allow reporting upon the status to their customers and other organisations as agreed.
- The standard is comprehensive in scope covering areas of quality, hygiene and product safety throughout the distribution chain
- The standard addresses part of the due diligence requirements of the food manufacturer, agent, importer, supplier and retailer/user. Food manufacturers may also use the standard to ensure their contractors are following good hygiene practices and complete the due diligence chain.
- Within the associated protocol, there is a requirement for ongoing surveillance and confirmation of the follow up of corrective actions on non conformance to the standard, thus ensuring that a self improving quality, hygiene and product safety system is established.


Anything else let me know, i am writing a quick guide which will be availble soon



Regards

Joy

[Simon]

Thank you very much for the updates James and Joy; well I guess the IFS and BRC Standards will be something we can get our teeth into. Unlike ISO 22000, which is pretty much optional I notice Certification to the BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution Standard will be a requirement within the UK retailer supply chain. It makes a big difference, and in the not too distant future I imagine there will be scores of petrified warehouse and transport managers making their way over here with new standards in sweaty hands. But we'll be prepared - that's what we're good at.

To keep it neat I've separated the IFS and BRC standards discussions into their own threads, depending on how it goes I may open specific forums.

IFS Transport, Logistic and Storage Standard

BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution

Regards,
Simon

[joyfranks]

Thank you very much for the updates James and Joy; well I guess the IFS and BRC Standards will be something we can get our teeth into. Unlike ISO 22000, which is pretty much optional I notice Certification to the BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution Standard will be a requirement within the UK retailer supply chain. It makes a big difference, and in the not too distant future I imagine there will be scores of petrified warehouse and transport managers making their way over here with new standards in sweaty hands. But we'll be prepared - that's what we're good at.

To keep it neat I've separated the IFS and BRC standards discussions into their own threads, depending on how it goes I may open specific forums.

IFS Transport, Logistic and Storage Standard

BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution

Regards,
Simon

Hi All,


James is right about the accreditation process guys and girls, however Im sure James will agree that all CB's that have submitted an application to an AB and to BRC are permitted to carry out unaccredited certification as some companies what it NOW !!. Some CB's are already doing this and if they are experienced in the other BRC standards it should not be a problem. As far as logistics goes for ISO 22000 its not the only problem with the extended scope of non direct food chain but hey we will get there !!. Roll on ISO 22003



Kind Regards

Joy