Procedural Documents

Publications

• BRCGS072 Certificate Extension for audits impacted by Covid-19 - English

  This document covers the mandatory requirements for certification extensions in audits influenced by Covid-19.

• BRCGS072 Certificate Extension for audits impacted by Covid-19 - Italian

  Scopo del Documento: Questo documento riguarda i requisiti obbligatori per le estensioni di certificazione negli audit influenzati da Covid-19.

• BRCGS072 Certificate Extension for Audits impacted by Covid-19 - Spanish

  Alcance del documento: este documento cubre los requisitos obligatorios sobre las extensiones de certificación para las auditorías afectadas por Covid-19.

• Effective 01/01/2023: BRCGS072 Certificate Extension for audits impacted by Covid-19 - English (new)

  This document covers the mandatory requirements for certification extensions in audits influenced by Covid-19 - replaces existing document on January 1st 2023.

• BRCGS078 Position Statement

  This Position Statement outlines the BRCGS response to COVID-19 challenges to assist certification bodies, auditors, and sites.

• BRCGS079: Position Statement and Protocol on Unannounced Audits

  Following a new GFSI requirement for Benchmarking, we have published a Position Statement to provide guidance on the new unannounced audit programme. 

• Position Statement and Procedure for Blended Audits Remote Auditing using ICT

  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.

• BRCGS086 Remote Audits During Pandemic and Serious Event Restrictions

  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).

• BRCGS087 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Remote Audits, Blended Audits, and Certificate Extensions

  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.

• BRCGS095 : Factsheet on the certification process for seasonal sites affected by Covid-19 restrictions.

  Clarified that consecutive certificate extensions are not possible.

• BRCGS095: Factsheet for Seasonal Sites affected by Covid-19 restrictions

  Guidance for sites including recommendations for short season suppliers who have temporarily fallen out of certification due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

• New Options for the delivery of BRCGS Certification

  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. 

• Prioritization and risk management of BRCGS audits for Brands, Specifiers and Suppliers

  A Covid-19 update and BRCGS guidance for Brands, Specifiers and Suppliers (8.12.2020)

• How to get the most benefit from your remote audit

  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.

• Brands support new BRCGS Audit Options

  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. 

• 12 point Restart Guide for Packaging and Consumer Products Sites

  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.

• WEBINAR: FOOD FRAUD, SUBSTITUTION AND THE INTEGRITY OF PRODUCT CLAIMS

  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. 

• 15 point checklist for food sites

  Download our 15 point checklist to support sites, drawn from our recently published guidance document
  Managing Food Safety during Covid-19.

• BRCGS Guidance Document – Managing Food Safety During Covid-19 (April 2020)

  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.

• BRCGS webinar – Food Safety during COVID-19

  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.

• How to manage pest control during COVID-19

  Considerations to maintain the safety of your employees as well as that of pest controllers.  

• Internal audit considerations during COVID-19

  Guidance on how to manage your internal audit requirements during COVID-19.

• Product and Raw Material Testing

  BRCGS recommendations for tests that are critical to product safety or legality during COVID-19