14 replies to this topic

[Alutka_120]

I can`t check, that my supplier has current cartification.

So far I check this link:

directory.brcgs.com

But now I can't

Has something changed on the BRC website?

 

 

[Ishau]

Yes, you can no longer check without logging in.
Create a free account, takes less than 5 minutes.
Then log in, click certificate tracker and search as normal.

[Alutka_120]

Thank for your answer

[GMO]

They're also intending to change it soon so that if you (pay) for the service you can then ask your suppliers to share their full report.  Long overdue and SEDEX have been doing similar for years. 

[kconf]

You have to pay to use a service to request suppliers' certs? BRC is all about money. 

[TimG]

You have to pay to use a service to request suppliers' certs? BRC is all about money. 

Oh, I thought he meant if you are paying for the inspection, you now can get access to the cert. Some smaller places have their bigger customer who requires the cert foot the bill for the audits.

[kconf]

Oh then it's good. My fault! 

[Tony-C]

Hi Alutka_120,

 

From BRCGS: The upgraded BRCGS Directory is here! Discover the changes and new features

 

The public BRCGS site search tool has moved

The site search tool is now only available within the secure, credentialed area of Directory. Access to Directory remains free - simply log in if you already have a Directory account. If you do not have an existing account, you will need to create a free Directory Lite account to access the search tool.

Good news - registration is free, quick, and only needs to be done once.

> FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CREATING AN ACCOUNT OR TO LOG IN

 

 BRCGS Directory Basic No Certificate.png   194.38KB   0 downloads

 

Note: You can check grade and certification dates but Certificates cannot be downloaded with this basic search tool.

 

BRCGS Directory Pro and API has arrived

With Directory Pro, you can:

Access the certification status of 55,000+ sites, including expired certifications.

Download authentic PDF certificates

View full audit reports (where shared)

Tag your suppliers as ‘favourites’ for easy retrieval of records and export to XLS format

Set up live alerts status changes for your favourite tagged sites

> DISCOVER DIRECTORY PRO AND API

 

 BRCGS Directory Pro.png   563.26KB   0 downloads

 

Note: Directory Pro is £149

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[TimG]

So they ARE paywalling printing of certs? Hopefully not your own cert..

[Ishau]

There may be some misunderstandings here, so just to clear them up.

 

As a free user, you can search for any site which is currently certificated by signing in. You will be able to see all of the certificate details to confirm they are certificated, like the site code, grade, scope, expiry etc.

 

As a pro user, you can do additional things such as receive copies of the reports (if shared with you), download certificates, get live updates of favourite sites (like if a cert expires) and much more.

 

Directory Pro does cost as per what Tony said above, however every site that has a BRCGS audit is upgraded to pro by default and there is no additional cost.

The cost is only to those who do not have any BRCGS certification themselves, but want to use Pro as a tool for their supplier management. There is no obligation for anyone to do this, because you can still just ask for a copy of their cert and then check it against the free version.

 

Sites who are themselves audited can still access their full report and certificate for free, and they can also print off their suppliers certificate for free through Pro as they gain access by default.

 

Also in Tony's screenshot, if you were to click the audit ID in orange text, you will get the full certificate details, not just grade and certificate details. That's really a failure of BRCGS to explain how exactly it works.

[Andy_Yellows]

Not sure of the GFSI requirements but for our certification audits presenting the supplier's entry from the BRCGS directory has always been enough. Save the webpage as a PDF and then print it out. Is the certificate itself absolutely necessary?

[jfrey123]

Not sure of the GFSI requirements but for our certification audits presenting the supplier's entry from the BRCGS directory has always been enough. Save the webpage as a PDF and then print it out. Is the certificate itself absolutely necessary?

 

Depends on your auditor.  My SOP's are written to require suppliers be GFSI, not written to require a cert and audit be on file.  Now, my primary method of verifying the supplier is GFSI is to require them to send me the cert.  But in case they're behind or I haven't had a chance to review my supplier files, merely being able to prove they're current GFSI meets my SOP requirements.

 

Whether the auditor accepts a screenprint is 50/50, but it's defendable when you start the argument if that's how your SOP is written.

[Tony-C]

Hi Alutka_120,

 

I’ve posted some information regarding New BRCGS Directory FAQs that you might useful in a new topic here: https://www.ifsqn.co...directory-faqs/

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

Edited by Tony-C, Today, 03:21 AM.

[GMO]

Just a watch out, if you ask your suppliers to send you a cert, be aware it's super easy to fake a certificate.  It would be good practice to check on the live system.

[ShaunD]

The interpretaion guideline for 3.5.1.2 states:

 

"All suppliers must be evaluated for their ability to meet the specifications of the materials

(ingredients and primary packaging) they are supplying and requirements for safety, quality

and legality.

The company must document its procedure for supplier approval and monitoring. This needs

to include the methods of approval, frequency of monitoring, responsibilities and how the

process will be managed.

The acceptable methods of supplier approval will depend on the raw material and the risks

associated with it (e.g. the output of clause 3.5.1.1). They will include one or more of the

following activities:

• Certification to the relevant BRCGS Standard, such as the Global Standard Food Safety;

Packaging Materials; Storage and Distribution; Agents and Brokers; or another of the

GFSI-benchmarked schemes. The site must confirm the validity of the certification. This

will include:

• Confirmation of the certification status (e.g. this can be confirmed on an independent

database; for BRCGS Standards it can be confirmed in the BRCGS Directory).

Photocopies of certificates are not recommended and on their own are not considered

suitable validation of certification status. During the BRCGS audit the site may be asked

to demonstrate its validation process."