BRC Food Certification

About BRC:  In 1998 the British Retail Consortium, responding to industry needs, developed and introduced the BRC Food Technical Standard to be used to evaluate manufacturers of retailers own brand food products. 

Aims:  The development of the BRC Global Standards was initially driven by the need to meet legislative requirements of the EU General Product Safety Directive and the UK Food Safety Act and is designed to:

• Promote best practice

• Improve supplier standards and consistency, and avoid product failure

• Eliminate multiple audit of food manufacturers

• Support retailer objectives at all levels of the manufacturing supply chain

• Provide concise information to assist with a due diligence defence

Why BRC?:  Most large UK retailers will only consider business with suppliers who have gained certification to the appropriate BRC Global Standard.  This is because they have a legal responsibility for the products under the Food safety act of 1990 for their own retailer label. Brand owners also have a legal responsibility for their brand under this act.