How to get certified

Read the relevant standard and associated interpretation guideline thoroughly to familiarise yourself with the standard and its requirements. 

Attend training with the BRCGS Academy to gain a practical understanding of implementing the requirements - the best way to bring compliance with the standard to life.

Select and contact a BRCGS-approved certification body to discuss your application and scheduling an audit when you are ready. 

Assemble and train your team to be prepared for implementation. Obtain consultancy at this stage if needed.

Perform a gap analysis with the standard using our self-assessment checklist tool. Use these outputs to develop an action plan to implement the standard requirements in your operation. Carry out risk assessments where needed and establish necessary control points. Prepare your procedures and undertake internal audits. We have a range of product safety management training courses that can help with this stage.

Make sure you plan ahead so that staff are available and preparations are made. On the day, the audit will be conducted by your chosen certification body with BRCGS-approved and trained auditors. They will assess the practical implementation of the standard requirements. Observation of procedures and processes, review of documentation, and staff interviews will all take place.

If non-conformities are identified during your audit, you will need to carry out corrective action, root cause analysis and plan preventive action. These will be closed out within 28 days following the audit.

Your certification body will review the non-conformities and finalise the audit report to determine whether certification will be awarded. If certification is achieved, the certification body will issue your certificate within 42 calendar days from the first day of your audit.