The BRCGS Agents and Brokers certification program sets out the requirements for companies in the food, packaging and consumer products supply chain that buy, sell or facilitate the trade of products and may provide additional services such as the purchase, importation and distribution of the products, but do not manufacture or process those products.

The BRCGS Consumer Products General Merchandise certification program sets out the requirements for the production and supply of safe and legal consumer products of consistent quality. The products may be retailer-branded (private label), branded or unbranded for use by other organisations.

The BRCGS Consumer Products Personal Care and Household certification program sets out the requirements for the production and supply of safe and legal consumer products of consistent quality. The products may be retailer-branded (private label), branded or unbranded for use by other organisations.

BRCGS Ethical Trade and Responsible Sourcing addresses the increasing consumer and regulatory demand for socially responsible goods. The standard provides a framework for the evaluation of an organization’s premises, operational systems, and procedures to determine whether they comply with relevant guidelines and criteria. Through accredited certification to this standard, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and contribute to the overall sustainability of the supply chain ecosystem.

The BRCGS Food Safety certification program sets out the food safety, authenticity, quality and operational criteria required for the manufacture, processing and packing of:

• Processed foods, both own brand and customer-branded
• Raw materials or ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies and/or food manufacturers
• Primary products, such as fruit and vegetables
• Pet foods for domestic animals and animal feed
• Products from animal primary conversion

Traded products – products stored at the site, but are not manufactured, further processed, packed or labelled may also be included.

The BRCGS Gluten-Free certification program applies only to the control of gluten in the manufacture, processing, and packing of gluten-free products. These include:

• Processed foods, both own brand and customer branded
• Ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies, and food manufacturers
• Pet foods
• Cosmetics
• Natural health products
• Drugs

The BRCGS Packaging Materials certification program specifies the product safety, quality and operational criteria for the manufacture of packaging materials that are used in the production of, and filling operations for, food, hygiene-sensitive consumer products (including cosmetics), raw materials, and other consumer products. The requirements are also intended to apply to:

• Prior operations (e.g. production of packaging materials for conversion or printing)
• Operations that are supplying packaging material from stock where additional product processing or repacking occurs; this has been demonstrated to require the same level of control as a final/integrated conversion operation
• The manufacture and supply of other materials that are unconverted or semi-converted and used or incorporated (e.g. coatings and adhesives), where this is based on a risk analysis and mutually agreed between those involved

The BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification program has been developed to cover all activities which may affect the safety, legality, quality and integrity of the products stored and distributed, and of any additional contracted services that may be offered by storage and distribution companies.

The ultimate goal of the Feed Additive and preMIxture System (FAMI-QS) certification scheme is to ensure feed safety by minimising unsafe practices and the risk of hazardous ingredients entering the food chain. Feed is considered unsafe for its intended use if  it is likely to pose a risk to (has adverse effect on) human or animal health, or if the food derived from food-producing animals is unsafe for human consumption.

The Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 scheme is intended for the audit and certification of organisations for food chain categories defined by FSSC. It provides the standard and framework for independent, recognized third-party management system certification of animal farming, food, feed, biochemicals and packaging (materials) manufacturing, transport and storage, catering and retail/wholesale organisations.

FSSC 24000 is a social management system scheme designed to help organizations in the consumer goods industry meet social performance requirements. Accredited certification to FSSC 24000 can provide assurance that organizations are fulfilling their social objectives, including providing their workers with a safe working environment, performing due diligence when managing their supply chains, and upholding their work and business ethics.

The GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard applies to plants and aquaculture scopes. The IFA standard provides a holistic approach to farm assurance through the following topics:

• Food Safety
• Legality, Management, Traceability
• Production Processes
• Environmental Sustainability
• Animal Health and Welfare
• Workers’ Well-Being

The GLOBALG.A.P. Produce Handling Assurance scheme (PHA) is a solution for packers, re-packers, cooling, and storage facilities for supply chain assurance of food safety and traceability. The scheme sets current Good Manufacturing Practices, hazard analysis (or risk assessment), and assesses overall Food Safety Management System controls. The scheme also includes supplier management, food safety related incidents management, and site requirements such as personnel, facility, and production practices.

The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) Industry Controlled Other Party (ICOP) certification scheme enables all organizations in aviation, space and defence that purchase goods and services to recognize and accept the audits and AQMS certifications issued by accredited management systems certification bodies as part of their supply chain management processes.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) certification scheme offers a harmonized way to reduce emissions from international aviation, minimizing market distortion, while respecting the special circumstances and respective capabilities of ICAO Member States.

IFS Broker is the standard for auditing the service compliance of brokers, sales representatives, traders, and importers of food, household and personal care products, or packaging materials. The standard applies to persons or companies that typically do not take physical possession of the products. An IFS Broker audit assesses whether the intermediary has implemented suitable processes to ensure that the products of its suppliers comply with the legal regulations and the product specifications of its customers.

The standard covers senior management responsibility, quality and product safety management systems, resource management, planning and services processes, product defence assessment, and measurements, analysis, and improvements. It provides numerous benefits to companies, including improved business reputation, compliance with regulations, higher flexibility, more effective use of resources, and the ability to trade with customers requiring third-party audits.

IFS Food is a standard for auditing food processing companies and businesses that pack loose food products. It evaluates a food producer’s ability to produce safe, authentic, and quality products according to legal requirements and customer specifications. The standard covers senior management responsibility, quality and food safety management systems, food defense, resource management, operational processes, measurements, analysis, and improvements.

The IFS Logistics standard assesses the quality and safety of logistics activities and includes transport, storage, distribution, loading and unloading, and more. It applies to all logistics areas, such as delivery by truck, rail or ship, and all types of food and non-food products, regardless of whether they must be transported at freezing temperatures, refrigerated or non-refrigerated.

The standard covers senior management responsibility, quality and product safety management systems, resource management, realisation of the logistics services, measurements, analysis, and improvements. It provides numerous benefits to companies, including improved business reputation, compliance with regulations, higher flexibility, more effective use of resources, and the ability to trade with customers requiring third-party audits.

The IFS PACsecure Standard is for auditing packaging material manufacturing and converting processes concerning product safety, quality, and customer and regulatory compliance. The standard is applicable for the production, processing or conversion of packaging components and materials intended to be used as primary or secondary packaging in food and non-food products.

The standard covers senior management responsibility, quality and product safety management, resource management, operational processes, product defence, and measurements, analysis, and improvements. It provides numerous benefits to companies, including improved business reputation, compliance with regulations, higher flexibility, more effective use of resources, and the ability to trade with customers requiring third-party audits.

IPC Management System Auditors was developed to provide a standardized framework for certifying management system auditors worldwide. The scheme aims to ensure the competence and proficiency of auditors in conducting management system audits based on international standards.

The scheme identifies key competencies for management system auditors and establishes methods to demonstrate and evaluate these competencies. It takes into consideration the collective experience of IPC members and the requirements of industry and certification bodies/registrars.