What is BRCGS?
BRCGS, short for Brand Reputation through Compliance of Global Standards, is a food safety certification scheme used across the food supply chain. It sets requirements for food safety, quality and product integrity, and is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
First published in 1998 by the British Retail Consortium under the name BRC, it was the first standard to meet the GFSI benchmark. Today it is one of the most widely required certifications in the sector, used by retailers, manufacturers, importers, caterers and ingredient suppliers, with more than 22,000 certified sites in over 130 countries.
Below, we explain what BRCGS covers, who may need certification, how sites are graded and how the scheme differs from FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000.
What does BRCGS cover?
The current version is BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, published in August 2022. It is structured around seven core areas.
- Senior management commitment. Leadership must commit to implementing and continually improving food safety processes.
- The food safety plan (HACCP). A documented HACCP plan to identify and manage biological, chemical and physical hazards.
- Food safety and quality management system. The systems needed to produce safe products, meet customer expectations and ensure staff are properly trained.
- Site standards. Requirements covering site layout, maintenance, cleaning, security, and pest and foreign body control.
- Product control. Managing allergens, provenance and product testing to demonstrate that products are safe.
- Process control. Day to day implementation of the HACCP plan and the procedures needed to manufacture to the correct quality.
- Personnel. Training, protective clothing and hygiene requirements for everyone involved in production.
Together, these requirements connect management responsibility with the controls used on site each day.
Who needs BRCGS certification?
BRCGS certification is available to organisations across the food supply chain, including food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, storage and distribution businesses, and other relevant operations. Certification applies only to the activities, products and site included within the audited scope.
BRCGS certification is commonly requested by retailers and other large food businesses as part of supplier approval. For some suppliers, it is therefore a commercial condition of supply even though it is not a legal requirement.
Which BRCGS certification applies to your business?
BRCGS has different certification programmes for different parts of the supply chain. The right one depends on the activities carried out at the audited site, not simply the products the business sells. The table below shows the main BRCGS certification programmes and the types of business they cover.
| BRCGS certification | Who it is for |
| Food Safety | Sites that manufacture, process or pack food and food ingredients. It covers product safety, legality, quality and integrity. |
| Packaging Materials | Businesses that manufacture or process packaging materials for food and non-food applications. |
| Storage and Distribution | Warehouses, storage providers, wholesalers, transport operators and distribution businesses. |
| Agents and Brokers | Businesses that buy, sell, import or facilitate trade but do not manufacture, process or store the products at their own sites. |
| Consumer Products | Manufacturers of non-food consumer goods, including household, electrical and personal care products. |
| Retail | Retail businesses that need a structured framework for product safety, quality, legality and operational control. |
| Gluten-Free | Food manufacturers producing products intended to meet recognised gluten-free programme requirements. |
| Plant-Based | Manufacturers seeking assurance around plant-based claims, ingredient controls and the management of animal materials. |
| Ethical Trade and Responsible Sourcing | Sites seeking independent assessment of labour standards, worker welfare and responsible sourcing practices. |
For a food ingredient business, Food Safety, Storage and Distribution, and Agents and Brokers are likely to be the first standards to check. The appropriate certification will depend on the activities and scope of each site. Where a business carries out different activities across separate sites, more than one standard may be relevant.
How certification and grading work
Unlike some other schemes, BRCGS certification is renewed annually rather than over a three year cycle. Each audit results in a grade rather than a simple pass or fail.
At the time of writing, grades range from AA to D, with AA being the highest certified grade. An Uncertified outcome means that certification has not been achieved or maintained. The result depends on the number and severity of critical, major and minor nonconformities identified during the audit.
The BRCGS grading system is summarised below:
- AA Grade: no more than 5 minors.
- A Grade: 6 to 10 minors.
- B Grade: 11 to 16 minors, or 1 major and up to 10 minors.
- C Grade: 17 to 24 minors, or 1 major and 11 to 16 minors, or 2 majors and up to 10 minors.
- D Grade: 25 to 30 minors, or 1 major and 17 to 24 minors, or 2 majors and 11 to 16 minors.
- Uncertified: awarded where an audit finds 1 or more critical nonconformities, 31 or more minors, 1 major and 25 or more minors, 2 majors and 17 or more minors, or 3 or more majors.
If an audit finds a nonconformity, the site must provide evidence of corrective action by the deadline set in the BRCGS protocol. At the time of writing, this is 28 days.
Since Issue 9, at least one audit within each three year cycle must be unannounced, regardless of whether the site has chosen an announced or blended audit option. A grade earned through an unannounced audit is marked with a “+”, for example AA+, reflecting that the result was achieved without advance preparation.
BRCGS vs FSSC 22000 vs ISO 22000
BRCGS, FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000 all relate to food safety management, but they are not equivalent. The main differences are their recognition, structure and certification cycle. It is also worth noting that BRCGS and FSSC 22000 are just two of several GFSI-recognised certification programmes – others include IFS, SQF and GLOBALG.A.P., and the right scheme often depends on the sectors and markets a business supplies.
BRCGS vs FSSC 22000
Both are GFSI recognised, but they are built differently. FSSC 22000 is constructed on top of the ISO 22000 management system standard, while BRCGS is an independent standard with its own structure and audit approach. FSSC 22000 certification runs on a three year cycle with annual surveillance audits; BRCGS certification is renewed annually. Many buyers will accept either, though some sectors and customers show a preference for one over the other.
BRCGS vs ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is a generic, internationally recognised food safety management system standard. It is not GFSI recognised on its own and is often combined with other ISO systems such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001. BRCGS, by contrast, was developed specifically for retail and FMCG supply chain assurance, with a stronger emphasis on product integrity, traceability and supplier approval.
Why this matters for sourcing decisions
For procurement and technical teams, BRCGS certification provides independent evidence that a supplier has documented food safety and quality controls. The grade adds useful context, but it should be reviewed alongside the certification scope and the products covered at the audited site.
Practical note for sourcing teams
An unannounced audit grade can provide additional assurance because the site has not had advance notice of the audit date. However, the grade should still be considered alongside the certification scope, audit findings and the supplier’s wider approval record.
Check both the certificate and the grade directly with a supplier, or through the BRCGS Directory, since certification scope can vary by site for multi-site organisations.
FAQ
What does BRCGS stand for?
Brand Reputation through Compliance of Global Standards. The scheme was previously known simply as BRC, after the British Retail Consortium which first published it, and adopted the BRCGS name in 2019.
Is BRCGS the same as GFSI?
No. GFSI is the Global Food Safety Initiative, a benchmarking body that recognises certification schemes meeting its criteria. BRCGS is one of the schemes recognised by GFSI, and was the first to achieve that recognition.
Is BRCGS certification mandatory?
Not by law, but it is frequently required as a condition of supply by retailers, manufacturers and foodservice companies, particularly in the UK, US and Europe.
What is the highest grade in BRCGS?
AA is the highest grade, followed by A, B, C and D. Uncertified is the lowest outcome and represents a failed audit.
What is the difference between BRCGS and ISO 22000?
ISO 22000 is a generic food safety management standard not recognised by GFSI on its own. BRCGS is a GFSI recognised scheme built specifically for retail and FMCG supply chain assurance, with its own independent structure.
Which is better, BRCGS or FSSC 22000?
Neither scheme is automatically the better choice. Start with customer requirements, then consider sector expectations, the organisation’s existing management systems and the certification cycle involved.
Summary
When assessing a supplier, check that its BRCGS certificate is current, that the audited site and relevant products are within scope, and that any nonconformities have been addressed. The grade is useful, but it should form part of a wider supplier approval process rather than being considered on its own.
FAQ
Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. It was previously known simply as BRC.
No. GFSI is the Global Food Safety Initiative, a benchmarking body that recognises certification schemes meeting its criteria. BRCGS is one of the schemes recognised by GFSI, and was the first to achieve that recognition.
Not by law, but it is frequently required as a condition of supply by retailers, manufacturers and foodservice companies, particularly in the UK, US and Europe.
AA is the highest grade, followed by A, B, C and D. Uncertified is the lowest outcome and represents a failed audit.?
ISO 22000 is a generic food safety management standard not recognised by GFSI on its own. BRCGS is a GFSI recognised scheme built specifically for retail and FMCG supply chain assurance, with its own independent structure.
Neither scheme is automatically the better choice. Start with customer requirements, then consider sector expectations, the organisation’s existing management systems and the certification cycle involved.
Summary
When assessing a supplier, check that its BRCGS certificate is current, that the audited site and relevant products are within scope, and that any nonconformities have been addressed. The grade is useful, but it should form part of a wider supplier approval process rather than being considered on its own.
If you need further advice on BRCGS, supplier certification or ingredient sourcing, our team is here to help. We work with certified suppliers worldwide and can guide you through what to look for when assessing a new ingredient partner. Get in touch with Lehmann Ingredients for straightforward, practical support.
