GFSI Unlocks Benchmarking for BMRs v2024 with New Governance Framework
Hi Everyone,
Announcement by GFSI: GFSI Unlocks Benchmarking for BMRs v2024 with New Governance Framework
'GFSI is now moving forward with an enhanced governance system. The GFSI Steering Committee has granted a 6-month extension to the application deadline for currently recognised CPOs. Currently Recognised CPOs that are recognised against v2020.1 of the BMRs, applications open 17 November, 2025 and close 17 May 2026 at midnight CET (Extended Deadline).
Governance Improvements
Key governance reforms resolved the challenges that delayed applications against the Benchmarking Requirements v2024. Full details regarding these critical governance updates, including clarifications on auditor competency, are laid out in the Technical Advisory Note (TAN).
Technical Advisory Note (TAN) Elements and Extracts:
A. Update on Application Form Timeline
The GFSI advises stakeholders that the timeline for the submission of application forms related to BMR Version 2024 has been adjusted. Applications are now being accepted up to 17 May 2026 midnight CET.
B. Implementation Handbook
We acknowledge the feedback received on the first version of the Handbook and have decided to place the current document on hold. A revised version is under development and will be published shortly.
C. Clarification on Benchmark Requirement 4.9
Table 1, column 3 requires auditors to hold a degree in discipline, or, at a minimum, to have successfully completed a relevant higher education course or equivalent. The inclusion of “or equivalent” is deliberate to provide flexibility.
GFSI emphasises that this benchmark requirement is not intended to exclude auditors who have developed competence through professional training, industry qualifications, and relevant experience.
D. Clarification on Glossary Term – Reportable Incidents to GFSI
GFSI requires notification by the CPO in the following cases ….'
Links to Access Resources are on the webpage, the benchmark requirements all appear to be the same with a new release date.
Presumably SQFI will move forward now and we will hear news of a publication date for SQF Code Edition 10 soon.
Previous topics which may be of interest:
New Consultation Opens for GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024
Is GFSI Reconsidering the Food Science Degree Requirement for Auditors?
Regards,
Tony
C. Clarification on Benchmark Requirement 4.9
Table 1, column 3 requires auditors to hold a degree in discipline, or, at a minimum, to have successfully completed a relevant higher education course or equivalent. The inclusion of “or equivalent” is deliberate to provide flexibility.
GFSI emphasises that this benchmark requirement is not intended to exclude auditors who have developed competence through professional training, industry qualifications, and relevant experience.
Not unexpected but the goodwill lost from people who have learned on the job and gained professional qualifications is not insignificant. I now have a suspicion of what those who set GFSI policy think of people like me and it's made me lose some of my respect for the organisation if I'm honest.
So GFSI is accepting applications for revisions through May 2026? No clue how long it will take them to review the edits from organizations like SQF, but between that deadline and their time to review, I'd be surprised if we get the formalized and published SQF code in 2026 at all, and then I'd bet $1 it'll mean that implementation won't happen until 2027.
So GFSI is accepting applications for revisions through May 2026? No clue how long it will take them to review the edits from organizations like SQF, but between that deadline and their time to review, I'd be surprised if we get the formalized and published SQF code in 2026 at all, and then I'd bet $1 it'll mean that implementation won't happen until 2027.
New Elder scrolls GTA or SQF first... take your bets...
So GFSI is accepting applications for revisions through May 2026? No clue how long it will take them to review the edits from organizations like SQF, but between that deadline and their time to review, I'd be surprised if we get the formalized and published SQF code in 2026 at all, and then I'd bet $1 it'll mean that implementation won't happen until 2027.
Hi jfrey123,
I'll take that bet as I assume that SQFI will publish Edition 10 before the application deadline so that Edition 10 is benchmarked. Edition 9 was published in October 2020 and effective 24 May 2021 which was around 7 months. It could be close if they wait until May but my question is why wouldn't the SQFI get on with publishing Edition 10 early in the New Year given the benchmark requirements haven't changed?
Kind regards,
Tony
Not unexpected but the goodwill lost from people who have learned on the job and gained professional qualifications is not insignificant. I now have a suspicion of what those who set GFSI policy think of people like me and it's made me lose some of my respect for the organisation if I'm honest.
I understand how you feel GMO but I think that this is not a reflection on people like yourself but the fact that Nearly 60% of young adults (25–34-year-olds) in the UK now hold a higher education qualification.
I was 1 of only 5 people from my school year of 200 pupils that went to university back in the day. See The great university con: how the British degree lost its value. Additionally 'A' level results continue to reach record levels every year going back to when the quota system was abolished in 1987.
So the GFSI requirement for a degree is not actually that stringent and probably a minimum requirement based on qualifications alone given the number of people that have degrees these days. Clearly a degree isn't what it was and a lot more emphasis should be put on experience and auditor assessment.
Kind regards,
Tony
I understand how you feel GMO but I think that this is not a reflection on people like yourself but the fact that Nearly 60% of young adults (25–34-year-olds) in the UK now hold a higher education qualification.
I was 1 of only 5 people from my school year of 200 pupils that went to university back in the day. See The great university con: how the British degree lost its value. Additionally 'A' level results continue to reach record levels every year going back to when the quota system was abolished in 1987.
So the GFSI requirement for a degree is not actually that stringent and probably a minimum requirement based on qualifications alone given the numbers of people that have degrees these days. Clearly a degree isn't what it was and a lot more emphasis should be put on experience and auditor assessment.
Kind regards,
Tony
No, you're missing my point, it's not the fact they were asking for a degree, it was the fact they were doing so from a very narrow range of subjects and refusing to recognise other, relevant degrees. I have a degree but not one the GFSI recognised as relevant, even though it is. Few people my age who went into a food science career took a food science degree (unless they did it by day release later) but instead came from a wide range of STEM backgrounds.