Suppliers are being urged to get their skates on and their act together for the new version of the BRC Global Standards, says Beth Brooks
Food and drink suppliers are rushing to get their premises inspected before version four of the British Retail Consortium Global Standards - Food comes into force in a little under a fortnight.
“We are starting to get the panic calls,” says Carol Payne, food director at EFSIS. “People are ringing up, saying ‘Can we have our inspection in June?’ We have to say, ‘no’.”
The reason for the sudden flurry of activity ahead of July 1 is the perception that version three is less onerous. But is version four really that draconian?
The BRC Global Standard has become the benchmark for food safety management, since it was launched in 1998. It is regularly updated in line with the latest legislation. In version four, the standard traceability requirements have been beefed up in light of Sudan 1 and Para Red.
The new standard demands: “The company shall have a system which has the ability to trace and follow all raw material (including primary packaging materials) from source through all stages of processing and distribution... to the customer.”
It also stipulates regular testing to ensure that traceability can be determined from raw material to finished product and vice versa.
Kevin Swoffer, BRC head of technical services, says there is no reason for alarm. “There are no huge changes. Companies that have been compliant and are aware of the changes should not struggle.”
The new standard has a number of advantages. The older system of foundation and higher levels has been scrapped in favour of one level of accreditation, as used in other BRC standards in areas such as packaging and consumer products.
Also, the length of inspection has been extended. Instead of the previous one-day time frame, companies will be evaluated over a day-and-a-half.
Robert Montagu, head of technical at meat and pastry supplier Saxby’s, says: “It should mean that the inspector gets to spend more time on the factory floor, looking at how the company really works rather than devoting a large part of the audit visit going through paperwork.”
However, warns Payne, more companies are likely to fail their inspections: “We’ll have a few more failures, because the requirements are tighter. I think you’ll find a higher failure rate while everyone beds in.”
The main stumbling block is likely to be the 10 fundamental clauses covering everything from traceability to purchasing that have been introduced in response to retailer concern that some companies were using the 28-day period of compliance to gain certification after - rather than on the day of - their initial inspection. If applicants do not comply with all of them, they will not be able to proceed with certification.
Susan Fletcher, auditing and outsourcing manager at Sainsbury, says: “The clauses will indicate to us the commitment of our suppliers to achieve continual compliance.”
Despite this, most companies should be able to achieve the new standard, says Payne. They should certainly be aware of what is expected. The BRC conducted an intensive media campaign at its launch in January and encouraged certification bodies to run courses on the changes.
EFSIS also ran two courses on the changes and is actively encouraging companies to contact it if they feel they need help.
Retailers, too, have been doing their part. Sainsbury, for example, has been preparing for months: “Our technologists have all received up-to-date training over the past three months and will be ready to support their suppliers,” says Fletcher.
Most do seem to be prepared. Saxby is also gearing up for the deadline. “We won’t wait until the last minute to make any changes that are necessary,” says Montagu. “We’re well aware we might need training and changes to systems and we’ll make sure that’s all done before the next inspection.”
But others need to get their skates on, warns Payne: “Everybody that has got a July or August deadline has probably been planning for some time. The ones that will get caught out will be those with inspections next year. It will become next May and June when they’ve forgotten it’s changed when it will be a challenge.”
Food and drink suppliers are rushing to get their premises inspected before version four of the British Retail Consortium Global Standards - Food comes into force in a little under a fortnight.
“We are starting to get the panic calls,” says Carol Payne, food director at EFSIS. “People are ringing up, saying ‘Can we have our inspection in June?’ We have to say, ‘no’.”
The reason for the sudden flurry of activity ahead of July 1 is the perception that version three is less onerous. But is version four really that draconian?
The BRC Global Standard has become the benchmark for food safety management, since it was launched in 1998. It is regularly updated in line with the latest legislation. In version four, the standard traceability requirements have been beefed up in light of Sudan 1 and Para Red.
The new standard demands: “The company shall have a system which has the ability to trace and follow all raw material (including primary packaging materials) from source through all stages of processing and distribution... to the customer.”
It also stipulates regular testing to ensure that traceability can be determined from raw material to finished product and vice versa.
Kevin Swoffer, BRC head of technical services, says there is no reason for alarm. “There are no huge changes. Companies that have been compliant and are aware of the changes should not struggle.”
The new standard has a number of advantages. The older system of foundation and higher levels has been scrapped in favour of one level of accreditation, as used in other BRC standards in areas such as packaging and consumer products.
Also, the length of inspection has been extended. Instead of the previous one-day time frame, companies will be evaluated over a day-and-a-half.
Robert Montagu, head of technical at meat and pastry supplier Saxby’s, says: “It should mean that the inspector gets to spend more time on the factory floor, looking at how the company really works rather than devoting a large part of the audit visit going through paperwork.”
However, warns Payne, more companies are likely to fail their inspections: “We’ll have a few more failures, because the requirements are tighter. I think you’ll find a higher failure rate while everyone beds in.”
The main stumbling block is likely to be the 10 fundamental clauses covering everything from traceability to purchasing that have been introduced in response to retailer concern that some companies were using the 28-day period of compliance to gain certification after - rather than on the day of - their initial inspection. If applicants do not comply with all of them, they will not be able to proceed with certification.
Susan Fletcher, auditing and outsourcing manager at Sainsbury, says: “The clauses will indicate to us the commitment of our suppliers to achieve continual compliance.”
Despite this, most companies should be able to achieve the new standard, says Payne. They should certainly be aware of what is expected. The BRC conducted an intensive media campaign at its launch in January and encouraged certification bodies to run courses on the changes.
EFSIS also ran two courses on the changes and is actively encouraging companies to contact it if they feel they need help.
Retailers, too, have been doing their part. Sainsbury, for example, has been preparing for months: “Our technologists have all received up-to-date training over the past three months and will be ready to support their suppliers,” says Fletcher.
Most do seem to be prepared. Saxby is also gearing up for the deadline. “We won’t wait until the last minute to make any changes that are necessary,” says Montagu. “We’re well aware we might need training and changes to systems and we’ll make sure that’s all done before the next inspection.”
But others need to get their skates on, warns Payne: “Everybody that has got a July or August deadline has probably been planning for some time. The ones that will get caught out will be those with inspections next year. It will become next May and June when they’ve forgotten it’s changed when it will be a challenge.”
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