BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) for Packaging and Packaging Materials – Issue 6

The BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials (BRC IoP) provides safety and quality guidance for the producers of packaging materials, in order to ensure the safety and quality of food and non-food products.

Key Changes to the Protocol:

• Removal of the second hygiene category:On the previous issue, levels of hygiene were split into two categories – high hygiene and basic hygiene. The removal of the two-category system makes the new issue much simpler. Rather than the two tier hygiene levels, it is replaced with a risk-based approach, dependant on only one set of requirements.
• The second change to protocol is the removal of the second/split unannounced audit option: In Issue 5, packaging offered three audit options: Full announced audit, full unannounced audit, and split unannounced audit. The latter audit split the audit requirements into two separate audits, the first one being announced and the second unannounced. Based on the idea that the full unannounced audit option gives extra confidence to the specifiers, Issue 6 will be in line with Issue 8 of the Food Standard by removing the split unannounced audit option. However, unannounced audits will remain optional.

Key Changes to the Requirements:

• Corrective and preventive action: fundamental clause. The version integrates requirements on corrective and preventive action related to root cause analysis into a structure continuous improvement approach. The newer version emphasises the importance of addressing issues with the intent to remove the risk of the same issues happening again, demonstrating continuous improvement. This is fundamental, therefore sites that have not implemented this clause cannot be certified by BRC.
• Product quality and safety: In the new version, there is emphasis on the importance of food safety culture being present at the site. A new clause is introduced to the issue which requires sites to set up, execute and review an action plan to improve product safety and quality culture. The auditor will not necessarily assess the culture of the business, but instead review the efforts made to document the status of the culture and the process put in place to maintain and improve good culture.
• Emphasis on product quality: Packaging materials is not just for hygiene, it covers both product safety as well as product quality. In the new issue there is emphasis on product quality and there is a clear difference between product safety and quality. The new issue separates hazards into product safety and quality defects to improve the necessary measures to prevent, remove and decrease each product quality hazard to acceptable levels.
• Pellet, flake and powder control in the plastic industry: Issue 6 acknowledges the importance of raw material management in the packing industry and intends to remove the risk of contamination from the food supply chain. This refers to the removal of risks caused by cumulative chemical contamination of the human food chain, removing the risks of starvation of fish and marine mammals.