BRCGS Consultant for Food Manufacturers
Our BRCGS consultants and former auditors build your food safety and quality management system, prepare your team, and get you audit-ready for BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9.
- A BRCGS-aligned system built for the grade you need
- Gap assessment, internal audit, and mock audit in one engagement
- Guidance from a team that has run more than 500 food safety audits
A 30-minute call with a BRCGS expert. No cost and no obligation.
- 500+
- Food safety audits by our lead consultant Dave Seddon
- 9
- Requirement sections we prepare you for
- 12mo
- Certificate validity, with annual compliance audits
- 420+
- Customers served by our food safety experts
What is BRCGS certification?
BRCGS stands for Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. It began as the British Retail Consortium standard, is now owned by LGC, and is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). A BRCGS certificate tells retailers and buyers that your site runs a food safety and quality system that meets a rigorous, internationally accepted benchmark.
An accredited certification body audits your site against the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, then issues a graded certificate. The current version is Issue 9, and BRCGS has begun developing Issue 10. We build your program to Issue 9 today and keep you ready for the change.
A BRCGS consultant turns that standard into a working system for your facility, closes the gaps, and prepares your team so the audit result is the grade you need, not a list of findings to fix later.
The nine requirements of the BRCGS Food Safety Standard
Issue 9 is organized into nine sections. Several are fundamental requirements, and a failure against any of them means no certificate. We build and evidence every one.
1. Senior management commitment
Leadership, resources, and a genuine food safety culture plan.
2. The food safety plan, HACCP
A Codex-based HACCP study covering every product and process.
3. Food safety and quality management system
Documented policies, procedures, and record control.
4. Site standards
Building, layout, fabrication, housekeeping, and pest control.
5. Product control
Design, allergen management, labeling, and product testing.
6. Process control
Control of operations, monitoring, and calibration.
7. Personnel
Training, hygiene, and protective clothing.
8. Production risk zones
High care and high risk controls where they apply.
9. Requirements for traded products
Controls for products you buy and sell but do not make.
The BRCGS standard for your operation
BRCGS publishes a family of standards. We confirm the right one for your site and build to it. These are the standards we work with most.
BRCGS Food Safety
The core standard for businesses that process or manufacture food and beverage products. This is the one most retailers ask food manufacturers to hold.
- Manufacturers and processors
- Built on a Codex HACCP food safety plan
- Graded AA to Uncertified
CURRENT VERSION
- Issue 9
The standard we build to today, with Issue 10 in development.
BRCGS Packaging Materials
For companies that manufacture packaging and packaging materials that come into contact with food or consumer products.
- Packaging producers and converters
- Hygiene and product safety categories
- Aligned with the food supply chain
BEST FIT
- Packaging
Producers supplying food and consumer goods brands.
BRCGS Storage and Distribution
For warehousing, cold storage, and logistics operations that store or move food and consumer products through the supply chain.
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Temperature control and stock rotation
- Contract services and wholesale
BEST FIT
- Logistics
Storage, distribution, and third-party logistics.
BRCGS Agents and Brokers
For businesses that buy, sell, or trade food and packaging without manufacturing or storing it themselves.
- Agents, brokers, and traders
- Supplier approval and traceability
- Product safety and legality controls
BEST FIT
- Traders
Businesses in the supply chain that do not make product.
Food Safety
BRCGS Food Safety
The core standard for businesses that process or manufacture food and beverage products. This is the one most retailers ask food manufacturers to hold.
- Manufacturers and processors
- Built on a Codex HACCP food safety plan
- Graded AA to Uncertified
CURRENT VERSION
- Issue 9
The standard we build to today, with Issue 10 in development.
Packaging Materials
BRCGS Packaging Materials
For companies that manufacture packaging and packaging materials that come into contact with food or consumer products.
- Packaging producers and converters
- Hygiene and product safety categories
- Aligned with the food supply chain
BEST FIT
- Packaging
Producers supplying food and consumer goods brands.
Storage and Distribution
BRCGS Storage and Distribution
For warehousing, cold storage, and logistics operations that store or move food and consumer products through the supply chain.
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Temperature control and stock rotation
- Contract services and wholesale
BEST FIT
- Logistics
Storage, distribution, and third-party logistics.
Agents and Brokers
BRCGS Agents and Brokers
For businesses that buy, sell, or trade food and packaging without manufacturing or storing it themselves.
- Agents, brokers, and traders
- Supplier approval and traceability
- Product safety and legality controls
BEST FIT
- Traders
Businesses in the supply chain that do not make product.
How the BRCGS audit is graded
Your grade is set by the number and severity of non-conformities found at audit. Knowing the thresholds is how we target the grade your customers require.
| grade | ANNOUNCED | UNANNOUNCED | Non-conformities |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | AA | AA+ | 5 or fewer minor |
| A | A | A+ | 6 to 10 minor |
| B | B | B+ | 11 to 16 minor, or 1 major and up to 10 minor |
| C | C | C+ | 17 to 24 minor, or 1 major and 11 to 16 minor, or 2 major and up to 10 minor |
| D | D | D+ | 25 to 30 minor, or 1 major and 17 to 24 minor, or 2 major and 11 to 16 minor |
| UN | Uncertified | Any critical, a major against a fundamental requirement, 3 or more major, 31 or more minor, 1 major an 25 or more minor, or 2 major and 17 or more minor |
Note: Sites graded AA to C are re-audited every 12 months. Grade D sites are re-audited every 6 months.
Announced or unannounced
You can choose an announced audit or the unannounced program. At least one audit in three must be unannounced.
Audited every year
A BRCGS certificate is valid for 12 months, so recertification happens annually within a set window.
Fundamental clauses
Certain requirements are fundamental. A major finding against one can cost you the certificate, so we prioritize them.
Your path to a BRCGS certificate
Five phases used by hundreds of manufacturers. Most sites reach audit readiness in weeks, not months.
We review your documentation, facility, and records against BRCGS Issue 9 and map every gap.
- Document and facility review
- BRCGS-specific gap report and action plan
We build the food safety and quality management system the standard requires.
- HACCP plan, policies, and procedures
- Supplier approval, traceability, and specifications
We put the system to work on the floor and train your team on their roles.
- Role-based training with records
- Records live on paper or in the app
We run a full internal audit and a mock BRCGS audit, then close the findings.
- Mock audit against the BRCGS checklist
- Corrective actions verified before the real audit
We prepare you for the certification body and support you on audit day.
- Auditor coordination and evidence packs
- On-site or remote support during the audit
Gap assessment
We review your documentation, facility, and records against BRCGS Issue 9 and map every gap.
- Document and facility review
- BRCGS-specific gap report and action plan
System and documentation development
We build the food safety and quality management system the standard requires.
- HACCP plan, policies, and procedures
- Supplier approval, traceability, and specifications
Implementation and training
We put the system to work on the floor and train your team on their roles.
- Role-based training with records
- Records live on paper or in the app
Internal and mock audit
We run a full internal audit and a mock BRCGS audit, then close the findings.
- Mock audit against the BRCGS checklist
- Corrective actions verified before the real audit
Certification audit support
We prepare you for the certification body and support you on audit day.
- Auditor coordination and evidence packs
- On-site or remote support during the audit
Choose the level of support you need
Start with an assessment, build the full program, or keep your certification current. Every engagement begins with a free consultation.
| Program overview | Gap Assessment | Full Program | Ongoing Support |
|---|---|---|---|
Facility and document gap review | |||
BRCGS gap report and action plan | |||
HACCP plan and FSQMS build | — | — | |
SOPs, records, and supplier approval | — | — | |
Staff training | — | ||
Internal and mock audit | — | ||
Certification audit support | — | ||
Annual review and recertification prep | — |
Gap Assessment
- Facility and document gap review
- BRCGS gap report and action plan
- —HACCP plan and FSQMS build
- —SOPs, records, and supplier approval
- —Staff training
- —Internal and mock audit
- —Certification audit support
- —Annual review and recertification prep
Full Program
- Facility and document gap review
- BRCGS gap report and action plan
- HACCP plan and FSQMS build
- SOPs, records, and supplier approval
- Staff training
- Internal and mock audit
- Certification audit support
- Annual review and recertification prep
Ongoing Support
- Facility and document gap review
- BRCGS gap report and action plan
- —HACCP plan and FSQMS build
- —SOPs, records, and supplier approval
- Staff training
- Internal and mock audit
- Certification audit support
- Annual review and recertification prep
Meet the lead of our BRCGS team
"I have audited more than 500 manufacturers for food safety certification. I know what BRCGS auditors look for, and I build your system so the findings do not show up on audit day."
Dave Seddon, MBA, RDN, LDN, CFSO
Co-founder of FoodReady and a finalist for SQF Auditor of the Year named by the SQF Institute.
- 500+ audits
- SQF and BRCGS experience
- GMP expertise
BRCGS, SQF, and FSSC 22000 side by side
All three are GFSI-recognized, so buyers accept any of them. They differ in origin, structure, and grading. We consult on all three and help you pick the one your customers require.
| null | BRCGS | SQF | FSSC 22000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | LGC | SQF Institute (FMI) | Foundation FSSC |
| Origin | UK retail | North America | ISO 22000 |
| Structure | Nine requirement sections | Sector-specific codes | Modular, ISO based |
| Result | Graded AA to Uncertified | Scored E, G, C | Pass with non-conformities closed |
| Strong in | UK and Europe | North America | Global, multi-site |
| Best fit | Suppliers to European retail | US retail supply | Large global manufacturers |
Keep your BRCGS evidence audit-ready all year
Consulting delivers the system. The FoodReady app helps your team keep it current: HACCP plans, SOPs, checklists, supplier documents, corrective actions, and traceability in one place, which matters because at least one BRCGS audit in three is unannounced. It is optional and included with enterprise and manufacturing subscriptions.
- HACCP builder -Plans with flow, hazard analysis, and CCPs.
- Corrective actions -Log, assign, and close non-conformities.
- Supplier documents -Approval records collected and kept current.
- Searchable records -Evidence found in seconds during the audit.
Dashboard
"Our recent BRC audit took place after only a few months of implementing the FoodReady Software with a new QC Team. Denice was instrumental in leading us through a smooth transition from a dated paper system and was on-site to provide guidance and support to our new QC Team during the actual audit; all factors that contributed to a successful audit and final score of AA+."
"FoodReady has given us the ability to hold off on hiring staff that I would have needed for document monitoring. If I did not have FoodReady then I would have needed to hire additional technicians and for our young company, it is a hard thing to do."
BRCGS consulting FAQ
What is a BRCGS consultant?
A BRCGS consultant helps a business build and implement a food safety and quality management system that meets the BRCGS Global Standard, then prepares the site for its certification audit. That includes a gap assessment, documentation, staff training, and an internal and mock audit against the standard.
What is the difference between BRC and BRCGS?
They are the same program. It started as the British Retail Consortium standard, known as BRC, and was renamed BRCGS, which stands for Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. The standard is now owned by LGC. Many people still say BRC out of habit.
Which BRCGS version do you build to?
We build to BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, the current standard. BRCGS has begun developing Issue 10, and we prepare your system so the transition is straightforward when it takes effect.
How is the BRCGS audit graded?
Grades run from AA down to Uncertified based on the number and severity of non-conformities. Roughly, 5 or fewer minor findings earns AA, 6 to 10 earns A, and so on down to D, while any critical non-conformity or 31 or more minor findings means no certificate. Unannounced audits earn the same grade with a plus, such as AA+. Our mock audit closes findings before the certification body arrives.
What is the difference between an announced and an unannounced audit?
An announced audit is scheduled in advance. An unannounced audit happens with no notice inside a set window. At least one audit in every three must be unannounced, so your system has to stay audit-ready year round. The FoodReady app helps your team keep evidence current between audits.
How does BRCGS compare with SQF or FSSC 22000?
All three are GFSI-recognized, so buyers accept any of them. BRCGS is structured around nine requirement sections and a letter grade, is strong in the UK and Europe, and emphasizes operational and supply chain controls. SQF is common in North America and uses SQF Fundamentals, Food Safety and Quality Codes, and FSSC 22000 is built on ISO 22000 for large global manufacturers. We consult on all three.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Most sites reach audit readiness in weeks, depending on facility size and how much documentation you already have. Certification body audit fees are separate from consulting fees, and we explain both. After a free consultation we provide a clear, fixed-scope quote for your operation.
Prepare for your BRCGS audit with confidence
Book a free consultation. We will look at your facility and target grade and tell you exactly what it takes to pass.