BRC/IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials
BRC and GMPJoanna Griffiths
Packaging Technical Manager BRC Global Standards
BRC Global Standards
Consumer Products
Storage & Distribution
PackagingFood
Origin of the BRC Standards
1996 •Brand owners inspect their own suppliers
1998 •Brand owners join to create a common standard for food
2000 •Issue 1, Food Technical Standard published•GFSI launched by the Consumer Goods Forum
2001 •Issue 1 of the Food Packaging Technical Standard published
2008 •Issue 3 incorporates non-Food packaging
2011 •Issue 4 of the Global Standard for Packaging published•Interpretation Guidelines available for packaging for the first time
BRC certificates by Standard(Sept 2012)
Food15683 - 84.3%
Packaging 2030 - 10.9 %
Consumer Products, 418 – 2.2 %
Storage & Distribution478 - 2.6 %
Submitted by > 100 Certification Bodies
Packaging certificated sites by country(top ten – May 2012)
United Kingdom
GermanyItaly
Netherlands
France
Switzerland
Turkey
Spain
PolandBelgium
Why BRC Certification?
Risk Mitigation
Quality Assurance
Global Recognition
Aiding Legislative Compliance
Customer Mandate
Benefits of the Standard• Standalone Standard• Technical expertise• Developed for Packaging, by Packaging• Quality as well as safety and hygiene (print, process
control)• Mature and well established – 2000 sites, consistent
growth, retained renewal• Third party accreditation locally worldwide• Independent, third-party audited• Global network of approx 100 CBs• Crossover with ISO standards
• Fundamental clauses
• Grading system • Preparation and
planning section
Issue 4
• Fundamental clauses
• Grading system • Preparation and
planning section
Issue 4• Printed
packaging material controls
• Response to recent issues
Principles of the StandardSenior Management Commitment
Risk based system
Quality management systems
BRC and legal complianceRelevant Clauses• Awareness of legislative requirements in
country of manufacture and use• Compliance with legal requirements• HARM system includes legal requirements
Legislative ComplianceGood Manufacturing Practice 2023/2006• Not specific, a system should be in place
to demonstrate good manufacturing practice
– Quality assurance system– Quality control system– Documentation
Summary• Compliance with GMP requirements
depends on knowledge of industry• Compliance with the BRC/IOP Global
Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials can aid and demonstrate compliance
• Legislation is designed to minimise risk of current and future food safety issues arising from packaging
GMP and the StandardQuality Management systems Site Standards
Product and Process Control Personnel controls
GMP – Quality Management Systems
Quality manual
Customer focus
Internal auditing
Supplier approval
Documentation control
Specifications
Record keeping
GMP – Site Standards
External standards
Building fabric
Utilities
Security
Layout and product flow
Equipment and Maintenance
Housekeeping and cleaning
GMP – Product & Process Control
Product design and development
Packaging Print Control
In-line testing and measuring equipment
Calibration
Foreign body contamination control
GMP – Personnel controls
Training and competence
Access and movement of personnel
Personal hygiene
Medical screening
Protective clothing
Typical Non-conformities• Site Standards
– Temporary repairs– Pest-proofing– Cleaning schedules– General conditions
• Hazard and Risk Management System– Process flow diagram – Identifying hazards
Typical Non-conformities• Foreign Body Control
– Glass and brittle plastic control – Chemical controls
• Specifications– Declaration of compliance
Relevance of the Standards• A recent survey by the BRC shows:
– 103 – the number of countries with sites– Italy is the largest market outside of UK in EU– 91% of sites see value in BRC certification– 67% find that certification brings new
customers, and use this in marketing– Sites see the Directory as a valuable way to
secure new customers
Supply chain security
Key features of the BRC Global Standards programme• Third party accredited programme• Retailer led – Expert influenced• International stakeholder consultation• Suite of training programmes targeted to all
stakeholders• Centrally controlled compliance program• Central database of audited manufacturers
Global Standards
“maintain the user friendliness of the BRC Standard, is practical in use”
“Continuous improvement of the Standard. Maintain the integrity of the Standard.”
“The Standard has evolved well, with a better application to
packaging materials and not specifically food manufacturers”
Reflecting realistic requirements for the
industry
BRC Directory - public
BRC Directory - private
• Standard of Choice• User friendly – prompt communication and issue
resolution• Most appropriate to market requirements
• Content• Simple certification process
• Trusted• Management of Certification Bodies and auditors
• GFSI benchmarking• Opening up new global markets committed to the use of GFSI
Standards
Future Objectives
Thank YouFor further Information please visit: www.brcglobalstandards.com
Contact: [email protected]