Transition to BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, issue 9

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety provides companies with a framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality and quality. It sets out forth operational controls for the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing and packing industry.

Issue 9 of the BRCGS Food Safety standard was published in August 2022. Certification against the new version of the standard will commence from February 1, 2023. This being a forced transition, companies should prepare and be compliant for audits taking place thereafter.

The revised issue of BRCGS Food Safety

Main changes in issue 9 centre around two core themes:

• developing food safety culture
• building core competencies

The two areas represent a significant percentage of non-conformities registered during certification audits. Addressing these gaps, the changes implemented with issue 9 enables a more robust food safety foundation as behaviours and processes are embedded. This strengthens and continually improves food safety and protects consumers. When it comes to food safety culture, the new requirements demand evidence of conscious food safety culture strategy and implementation.

Voluntary modules applicable to version 8 will be available in version 9. However, there is one exception. The ASDA module will be no longer available in issue 9.

Transition timeline

Audits to issue 9 of the BRCGS Food Safety standard will commence from 1 February, 2023. All new certifications are done to issue 9 of BRCGS Food Safety after 1 February 2023.

However, the due date and type of upcoming audit impacts when you will have to transition to issue 9. See rules below. Should you have questions on when you have to transition, contact DNV.

Announced program

The following rules apply if you are certified against BRCGS with announced programme and date window starts:

• On or after 1 February 2023:

Your next audit will be against issue 9.

• Starts in January 2023 and ends on or after 1 February 2023:

You must agree the audit date with your planning office. If the audit includes 1 February 2023 as the audit date, the audit must be against issue 9.

Unannounced program and audits

If you are certified against the BRCGS Food Safety standard with an unannounced programme or you expect a GFSI unannounced audit, we recommend that you take steps to implement the changes by 1 February 2023. Any audit following this date will be to issue 9.

Preparing for implementation

To prepare for issue 9, companies should first understand the new requirements, identify gaps and implement compliant processes and procedures. Supporting resources, including webinars, are available on the BRCGS website. The new issue and supporting guidance is available on the BRCGS Participate website. Copies of the different publications can be purchased via the BRCGS store.

To become familiar with the new issue 9, use the following documentation:

• the Global standard Food Safety Issue 9 (available in several languages),
• the Global Standard Food Safety Issue 9 Interpretation Guideline,
• the Global Standard Food Safety Issue 9 Guide to Key Changes.

How we can support

DNV is your partner, working with you to determine the timing of your next audit, prepare for the transition through webinars on the changes and insight on food safety and core competencies.