For almost 30 years, BRCGS has operated the world’s most trusted certification programmes to ensure product integrity and consumer protection.
BRCGS certification is globally recognised across both food and non-food categories as the benchmark for good manufacturing practice, which provides assurance to customers of safe, legal and high-quality products and builds confidence in the supply chain.
BRCGS certification has been adopted by over 36,000 sites in more than 130 countries around the world, and it has grown to become the most recognised and accepted certification by leading global brands and retailers.
BRCGS Standards cover core areas vital to the success of modern business and to drive quality. Underpinned by robust compliance processes and internationally recognised accreditation, the rigorous grading system is designed to help companies deliver meaningful improvements over time. There are 10 BRCGS Global Standards:
Food Safety
Developed by experts to ensure it is rigorous and detailed, yet easy to understand, the latest issue provides a framework for managing product safety, integrity, legality and quality in the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing and packing industry.
Now in its 9th issue, the standard has constantly evolved to protect the consumer. It was the first standard to be GFSI benchmarked, as well as introduce food safety culture requirements, define food fraud, and reduce audit burden through additional modules.
START
START is a food safety development programme built specifically for emerging and developing food producers.
It enables aspirational businesses to build the structure, confidence, and credibility to move toward recognised certification. With the full support of leading global brands and retailers, it provides suppliers with assurance of food safety.
Packaging Materials
A robust framework for packaging manufacturers to assist the production of safe, authentic packaging materials to meet customer requirements, and maintain legal compliance.
As the first packaging standard to be recognised by GFSI, it sets the global industry benchmark for packaging excellence with the recent launch of Issue 7. This standard is widely adopted not only by food packaging manufacturers but also by producers of packaging across various industries and applications throughout the supply chain.
Storage and Distribution
The essential certification link between our range of manufacturing Standards and end users such as retailers or food service companies.
This ensures that product integrity is maintained during storage and distribution, and that customer confidence is maximised through audit and certification.
Agents and Brokers
This Standard provides a framework for managing product safety, quality and legality for non-manufacturing businesses in the food and packaging industries.
It covers issues as diverse as senior management commitment and continual improvement, and hazard and risk assessment.
Consumer Products
The Consumer Products standard covers two distinct areas: General Merchandise, and Personal Care and Household.
It provides a clear framework that helps manufacturers to produce safe, quality and legal products that meet customer requirements. This standard is currently under revision with the next issue due for publication in late 2026.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-Free certification that takes a preventative, science-based approach for managing the safe manufacturing and production of gluten-free products.
Through partnerships with leading celiac organisations around the globe, it allows brand owners to connect with the global gluten-free consumer market.
Plant-Based
A comprehensive management system approach to plant-based food production providing strong protection from failure and rapid identification and management of risks.
The on-pack trademark is a powerful differentiator for brands that allows consumers to make informed choices.
Ethical Trade and Responsible Sourcing
Independent evaluation of an organisation’s management system and its capability to deliver against ethical and responsible principles.
It helps suppliers to identify organisational and supply chain risks, and to demonstrate that goods are produced ethically, and raw materials are sourced responsibly.
Global Standard Retail
This Standard provides essential certification for retailers of food products and hard lines and covers the activity of retailing, as well as commissary, sourcing and in-store production.
It is designed to promote best practice in product safety, quality, compliance and consumer protection.
