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This section contains links to BRCGS and Stakeholder Technical and Compliance guidance for sites on topics including Audit guidance, Remote audits, and Maintaining compliance options.
This section contains links to BRCGS and Stakeholder Technical and Compliance guidance for sites on topics including Audit guidance, Remote audits, and Maintaining compliance options.
This document covers the mandatory requirements for certification extensions in audits influenced by Covid-19.
Scopo del Documento: Questo documento riguarda i requisiti obbligatori per le estensioni di certificazione negli audit influenzati da Covid-19.
Alcance del documento: este documento cubre los requisitos obligatorios sobre las extensiones de certificación para las auditorías afectadas por Covid-19.
This document covers the mandatory requirements for certification extensions in audits influenced by Covid-19 - replaces existing document on January 1st 2023.
This Position Statement outlines the BRCGS response to COVID-19 challenges to assist certification bodies, auditors, and sites.
Following a new GFSI requirement for Benchmarking, we have published a Position Statement to provide guidance on the new unannounced audit programme.
Updated 9.3.2022
The new BRCGS requirements (BRCGS080) for the use of remote auditing techniques (ICT) as part of a blended audit approach are fully compliant with new GFSI benchmarking requirements. It is voluntary scheme and can only be used where both the site and certification body agree to use this approach.
It should further improve the quality of the audits and maximise the effectiveness of the time spent on site through the sharing and reviewing of information ahead of the site visit and has the potential to provide a more cost efficient process.
This audit protocol, where certification bodies operating under IAF MD4 and IAF ID3 may audit and certify organisations against a BRCGS Standard, utilising a fully remote assessment protocol. This protocol is being put into action to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 movement and access restrictions; it is not expected to be used where site access is safely available (i.e. it should not be used where a normal onsite audit is possible).
The following questions should help answer practical implementation of BRCGS processes. The questions relate to certificate extensions, blended audits and remote audits. Note the guidance is applicable to all BRCGS Standards.
Clarified that consecutive certificate extensions are not possible.
Guidance for sites including recommendations for short season suppliers who have temporarily fallen out of certification due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Updated 1.3.2021.
Over the last few months we have launched a number of initiatives either as temporary solutions or permanent new options for certification based on our experience from the use of new technologies. This article summarizes the family of available options and when each is applicable. including on-site announced and unannounced audits, remote assessments, blended audits, Covid-19 additional module, and certification extension.
A Covid-19 update and BRCGS guidance for Brands, Specifiers and Suppliers (8.12.2020)
Following the launch of our new remote audit option, we have published a guidance document to help you prepare for your remote audit to ensure it adds value and supports your business goals. We have also published a short infographic and a video to help.
October 2020. Following the publication of a new suite of audit options to maintain assurance, read an update for Delivery Partners: Audit options for sites under restrictions, which sets out the Brands that support this approach.
The 12-point plan sets out how sites can manage the safety and quality of packaging faced with external pressures of re-routing of supply chains, heightened hygiene requirements, staff absenteeism and an influx of new temporary workers to the manufacturing industry.
Sourcing raw materials has been challenging during COVID-19. Manufacturers have faced supply chain disruption, and procurement of raw materials potentially opens up issues of food fraud. This is particularly important in ‘free-from’ product ranges, such as plant-based or gluten-free products.
Download our 15 point checklist to support sites, drawn from our recently published guidance document
Managing Food Safety during Covid-19.
A new guidance document produced to complement the BRCGS Food Safety Standard to help managers fine tune their food safety management systems to cope with the new position which the food industry now faces.
Listen again to a webinar that provides sites with the latest information on how to maintain food safety during Covid-19. John Figgins and Jessica Burke talk through the latest guidance to maintain certification while balancing staff and consumer safety whilst maintaining supply chain fluidity.
Considerations to maintain the safety of your employees as well as that of pest controllers.
Guidance on how to manage your internal audit requirements during COVID-19.
BRCGS recommendations for tests that are critical to product safety or legality during COVID-19