What is the primary objective of **BRC**?

**The primary objective of BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is to ensure the production of safe, legal, authentic, and quality food products through a structured management system.** It combines senior management commitment with a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan and prerequisite programs (GMP/GHP) to control contamination, mislabelling, food fraud, and operational risks across manufacturing, processing, and packing sites.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **BRC**?

**BRC compliance is professionally required for food manufacturers, processors, packers, and related supply-chain entities seeking market access to major retailers worldwide.** It applies to sites producing processed foods, ingredients, primary products like fruit/vegetables, and domestic pet foods under direct management control; retailers and brand owners mandate GFSI-benchmarked certification like BRC for supplier approval.

Does **BRC** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, BRC requires mandatory external audits by accredited certification bodies for third-party certification.** Audits are site-specific, available as announced or unannounced, evaluating compliance across nine Issue 8 clauses (or seven in Issue 9), with grading (AA/A/B/C/D, + for unannounced) based on non-conformance severity; certification is valid for one year.

How often should an assessment for **BRC** be performed?

**BRC requires annual external certification audits with internal audits performed at least four times yearly across the site.** Internal audits must cover all clauses with risk-based frequency, full annual coverage, and independence; management reviews occur annually, with monthly food safety meetings and quarterly objective reporting.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **BRC**?

**Non-compliance with BRC fundamental requirements results in non-certification, grade downgrades, or certificate withdrawal.** Major non-conformities in areas like HACCP, internal audits, or traceability trigger full re-audits; critical issues lead to immediate suspension, loss of retailer contracts, and exclusion from GFSI-recognized supply chains.

Can **BRC** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, BRC can be mapped to other GFSI-benchmarked frameworks, providing a strong foundation for alignment.** Its HACCP, prerequisite programs, and governance align closely with comparable schemes, enabling reduced duplicative audits while maintaining site-specific controls for food safety, legality, and quality.

What is the first step to begin implementing **BRC**?

**The first step to implement BRC is securing senior management commitment through a signed food safety policy and resourced action plan.** Define scope (e.g., excluding non-controlled activities), assemble a multidisciplinary team, and conduct a gap analysis against the standard's nine clauses using BRC tools like the Get Started Assessment.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **AS9100**?

**AS9100 applies professionally to organizations designing, developing, manufacturing, or servicing aviation, space, and defense products and services.** Major OEMs and primes require certification as a supplier qualification condition, with visibility via IAQG's OASIS database; it covers manufacturers, material suppliers, design centers, and quality organizations, with variants like AS9110 for MRO and AS9120 for distributors.

Does **AS9100** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, AS9100 requires third-party certification through accredited bodies via a two-stage audit process.** Stage 1 assesses documentation and readiness; Stage 2 verifies implementation and effectiveness, using AS9101 guidance; certification is maintained with annual surveillance audits and recertification every three years.

How often should an assessment for **AS9100** be performed?

**AS9100 requires internal audits at planned intervals per a risk-based program, with external surveillance audits annually and full recertification every three years.** Clause 9.2 mandates competent internal audits covering all processes; management reviews (9.3) occur periodically to evaluate performance.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **AS9100**?

**Non-compliance with AS9100 risks certification suspension or revocation, loss of supplier approval, and contract termination by OEMs.** Audits identify nonconformities requiring corrective actions within 60–90 days; persistent issues lead to major findings, market exclusion via OASIS, and potential safety incidents or liability.

Can **AS9100** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, AS9100D aligns structurally with ISO 9001:2015's Annex SL 10-clause format, enabling integrated management systems.** Its process-based QMS (Clauses 4–10) supports mapping to compatible frameworks sharing high-level structure, with aerospace additions like Clause 8 controls fitting risk and operational overlays.

What is the first step to begin implementing **AS9100**?

**The first step for AS9100 implementation is conducting a gap analysis against AS9100D requirements.** Review current processes versus Clauses 4–10, identify gaps in aerospace additions (e.g., 8.1–8.4), define QMS scope (4.3), and produce a prioritized remediation plan with cross-functional input.

BRC vs AS9100 | GRADUM

Q: What is the primary objective of **AS9100**?

**AS9100's primary objective is to establish a quality management system (QMS) for aviation, space, and defense organizations that ensures product safety, configuration integrity, and supply chain reliability.** It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements in Clauses 4–10, emphasizing risk-based thinking (Clauses 6.1, 8.1.1), configuration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), and counterfeit parts prevention (8.1.4) to prevent catastrophic failures in high-consequence environments.

Standards Comparison

BRC

Voluntary

2022

GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety management

AS9100

Mandatory

2016

Global quality standard for aviation, space, and defense industries.

Quick Verdict

BRC ensures food safety via HACCP and GMP for global food manufacturers, while AS9100 delivers aerospace QMS with product safety and configuration controls for aviation suppliers. Companies adopt them for retailer access, regulatory compliance, and risk reduction in high-stakes supply chains.

Food Safety

BRC

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

GFSI-benchmarked certification for global retailers
Senior management commitment and culture plan
Codex HACCP integrated with prerequisite programs
Fundamental requirements for non-negotiable controls
Performance grading with unannounced audits

Quality Management

AS9100

AS9100D: Quality Management Systems Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Configuration management for product integrity
Product safety processes across lifecycle
Counterfeit parts prevention and detection
Operational risk management in Clause 8
Enhanced supplier controls and traceability

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

BRC Details

What It Is

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality through a structured management system combining senior leadership commitment and a Codex HACCP-based approach with robust prerequisite programs.

Key Components

Seven to nine core clauses (Issue 9/8): senior management, HACCP/food safety plan, FSQMS, site standards, product/process controls, personnel, risk zones, traded products.
Fundamental requirements like internal audits, supplier management, traceability, allergen controls.
Built on risk-based hazard analysis, environmental monitoring, food defence.
Annual audits with grading (AA/A/B/C/D), including unannounced options.

Why Organizations Use It

Provides retailer market access, reduces recalls via preventive controls, demonstrates due diligence. Enhances operational resilience, supplier trust, aligns with FSMA. Builds reputation through third-party verification and continuous improvement.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, HACCP development, site upgrades, training, mock audits. Applies to manufacturers globally; requires accredited certification body audits. Typical for mid-sized sites: 6-12 months, involving CAPEX for hygiene/facilities.

AS9100 Details

What It Is

AS9100D (AS9100:2016) is the international quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation, space, and defense organizations. It extends ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, using a process-based, risk-focused approach to ensure product safety and supply chain integrity.

Key Components

10-clause Annex SL structure covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
Aerospace additions: configuration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), counterfeit prevention (8.1.4), operational risks (8.1.1).
Built on risk-based thinking, human factors, and supplier controls; certification via accredited third-party audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Required by OEMs for market access and contracts.
Reduces defects, improves delivery, enhances safety.
Builds stakeholder trust via OASIS database visibility.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, internal audits, Stage 1/2 certification.
Applies to manufacturers, designers, MROs globally; 6-18 months typical, with annual surveillance.

Key Differences

Aspect	BRC	AS9100
Scope	Food safety management, HACCP, GMP for manufacturing	Aerospace QMS with product safety, configuration, counterfeit prevention
Industry	Food, packaging, storage, global food supply chain	Aviation, space, defense manufacturing and services
Nature	Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification standard	Voluntary IAQG quality management certification
Testing	Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits	Stage 1/2 certification, annual surveillance audits
Penalties	Grade reduction, certification loss, market exclusion	Certification suspension, supplier delisting, contract loss

Scope

BRC

Food safety management, HACCP, GMP for manufacturing

AS9100

Aerospace QMS with product safety, configuration, counterfeit prevention

Industry

BRC

Food, packaging, storage, global food supply chain

AS9100

Aviation, space, defense manufacturing and services

Nature

BRC

Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification standard

AS9100

Voluntary IAQG quality management certification

Testing

BRC

Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits

AS9100

Stage 1/2 certification, annual surveillance audits

Penalties

BRC

Grade reduction, certification loss, market exclusion

AS9100

Certification suspension, supplier delisting, contract loss

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BRC and AS9100

BRC FAQ

AS9100 FAQ

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BRC

AS9100

Quick Verdict

BRC

Key Features

AS9100

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

BRC Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

AS9100 Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

BRC FAQ

What is the primary objective of BRC?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with BRC?

Does BRC require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for BRC be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with BRC?

Can BRC be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing BRC?

AS9100 FAQ

What is the primary objective of AS9100?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9100?

Does AS9100 require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for AS9100 be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9100?

Can AS9100 be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9100?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

How to Implement CIS Controls v8.1 as a ‘Control Backbone’ for NIS2 & DORA (Step-by-Step Implementation Guide)

SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria in Plain English: Side-by-Side Decoder with Real-World Analogies

Using CIS Controls v8.1 as a ‘Compliance On-Ramp’: Map One Security Program to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and NIS2

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

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CSL (Cyber Security Law of China) vs APRA CPS 234

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