BRC Global Standard for Packaging and FSSC 22000
Improve your capability to consistently meet customer expectations of packaging safety and quality while reducing costs of supply chain management.
Certification of your packaging manufacturing system to the BRCGS standard for packaging and FSSC 22000 demonstrates your commitment to the safety, quality and operational criteria required to fulfil obligations with regard to legal compliance and protection of the consumer.
The standards provide specific requirements for a packaging manufacturing management system that will enhance your ability to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer, as well as statutory and regulatory demands.
What are the standards
These are comprehensive standards covering areas of quality, hygiene and product safety. The BRCGS global standard for packaging and the Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) are standards applicable to both food and non-food packaging.
All materials that come into contact with food and non-food product, especially the product packaging, can influence product safety, both by failing to protect the product properly and through contamination. When combined the two systems are applicable to packaging in direct or indirect product contact and aid companies in selecting and qualifying their suppliers providing a framework for managing the product packing industry.
The requirements in BRCGS global standard for packaging and FSSC 22000 are related to the quality management system and the hazard analysis and risk management, including GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) and GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) requirements.
Certification to the standard comprises assessment of a company’s premises, operational systems and procedures against the requirements of the standard. The standard is regularly revised and maintaining certification requires adherence to the latest version of the standard.
Benefits of becoming certified
Certification to BRCGS global standard for packaging and FSSC 22000 by an independent third-party is a requirement of most retailers and brand owners, as well as food processors. The standards provide several benefits:
- Single verification commissioned by the manufacturer, in line with an agreed evaluation frequency, will allow manufacturers to report on their status to food manufacturers and other organisations.
- Comprehensive standards cover areas of quality, hygiene and product safety throughout the packaging industry.
- Packaging manufacturers may use these standards to ensure that their suppliers are following good hygiene practices and complete the "due diligence" chain.
- Ongoing surveillance and confirmation of the follow-up of corrective actions ensure that a self-improving quality, hygiene, and product safety system is established.
Getting started
To be certified, you first need to implement the required processes into a system complying with the standard’s requirements. DNV is an accredited third-party certification body and can help you throughout the journey starting from relevant BRCGS and FSSC training to self-assessments, gap analysis and certification services.
Learn more about how to get started on the road to certification.