BRCGS published Issue 3 of the Gluten-Free Certification Program Global Standard (hereafter referred to as the Standard) in February 2019. This new issue of the Standard will be applicable for all audits conducted from 1 August 2019. Certificates issued against Issue 2 will remain valid for the duration indicated on the certificate.

This document is intended to introduce the new issue and provide a summary of the changes since Issue 2.

Background to the production of Issue 3 and objectives

Consultation and development process

Before starting the review for Issue 3, BRCGS undertook an extensive consultation with key stakeholders from two working groups to understand the strengths of the previous issue of the Standard and identify any potential areas for improvement. Each group was made up of industry representatives from retailers, certification bodies, trade associations, and food manufacturers.

The key objectives identified for the working groups were:

Consistency:

Ensure global applicability

Focus: 

Continue activities to reduce the burden of duplicate audits on certificated sites and ensure a clear focus on gluten control

Sampling and testing: 

Provide enhanced clarity on sampling and testing requirements

Grain handlers/suppliers:

Consider the activities of raw grain suppliers.

Use of BRCGS intellectual property

Information on how you can use BRCGS Standards, guidance and published content can be found here. You can also find a list of answers to common question on how BRCGS content can be used here.