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-assured food products through a structured management system. It combines senior management commitment with a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan and robust prerequisite programs (GMP/GHP) to control contamination, mislabelling, food fraud, and operational risks across manufacturing, processing, and packing.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with BRC?

BRCGS applies to food manufacturers, processors, packers, and related supply-chain sites producing processed foods, ingredients, primary products like fruit/vegetables, and domestic pet foods. It is professionally required by major retailers and brand owners as a GFSI-benchmarked certification for market access; sites must demonstrate direct management control over audited activities, excluding wholesale, importation, or external distribution.

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

Yes, BRCGS mandates annual external audits by accredited certification bodies, with options for announced or unannounced audits. Certification is site-specific, issued for one year based on performance against nine clauses, with grading (AA/A/B/C/D, "+" for unannounced) tied to non-conformance severity; fundamental clause failures can prevent certification.

How often should an assessment for BRC be performed?

BRCGS requires annual third-party certification audits, plus ongoing internal audits at a minimum of four scheduled dates spread across the year. Internal audits must achieve full coverage annually, with risk-based frequency; management reviews occur at least annually, and corrective actions with root cause analysis are verified at subsequent audits.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with BRC?

Non-compliance with BRCGS fundamental requirements results in major non-conformities, potential certification denial, suspension, or withdrawal. Sites face increased audit frequency, contract loss with retailers, and commercial exclusion; critical issues trigger full re-audits, while repeated failures impact grades and market access.

Can BRC be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, BRCGS Food Safety is GFSI-benchmarked and maps closely to frameworks requiring HACCP, PRPs, and FSMS elements. Its structure supports alignment through shared controls like hazard analysis, supplier management, traceability, and internal auditing, though site-specific adaptations may be needed for full interoperability.

What is the first step to begin implementing BRC?

The first step for BRCGS implementation is securing senior management commitment via a signed food safety policy and defining site scope. Assemble a multidisciplinary team to conduct a gap analysis against the nine clauses using official checklists, prioritizing fundamental requirements like HACCP and site standards.

What is the primary objective of AS9110C?

AS9110C's primary objective is to define quality management system requirements for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations to ensure consistent conformity to customer and regulatory requirements while enhancing safety and continual improvement. It builds on ISO 9001:2015's High Level Structure, embedding aerospace-specific controls for configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, and maintenance release processes to support continuing airworthiness.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9110C?

AS9110C applies to MRO organizations providing maintenance services for commercial, private, and military aircraft, including repair stations and OEM MRO divisions. Compliance is professionally required by customers, OEMs, and regulators like FAA/EASA Part-145 for contract eligibility and OASIS listing; it is not legally mandatory but essential for market access and demonstrating QMS alignment with statutory approvals, certificates, and capability lists.

Does AS9110C require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, AS9110C requires third-party certification through a two-stage external audit by an accredited registrar to verify QMS conformity and effectiveness. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness; Stage 2 assesses implementation via on-site evidence of operational processes, internal audits, and management reviews after at least three months of QMS operation.

How often should an assessment for AS9110C be performed?

Internal audits for AS9110C must be performed at planned intervals based on process risk, with critical maintenance processes audited more frequently, typically quarterly in the first year. Management reviews occur regularly, at least annually, using performance data; external surveillance audits happen annually, with recertification every three years.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9110C?

Non-compliance with AS9110C risks regulatory sanctions like FAA/EASA Part-145 certificate suspension, contract termination by OEMs/airlines, exclusion from OASIS, and financial losses from rework or litigation. It undermines airworthiness evidence, leading to safety incidents, fines up to $100k per day, and market exclusion.

Can AS9110C be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, AS9110C uses ISO 9001:2015's Annex SL High Level Structure, enabling direct mapping of Clauses 4-10 to ISO 9001 for integrated QMS implementation. IAQG correlation matrices support alignment with regulatory frameworks like EASA/FAA Part-145 without duplication.

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9110C?

The first step is a disciplined gap analysis mapping existing processes to AS9110C clauses, including regulatory requirements, using IAQG checklists to produce a prioritized gap register. Secure executive sponsorship and define a formal Scope of Work (SOW) with phased milestones.

Standards Comparison

BRC vs AS9110C

BRC

Voluntary

2022

GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety manufacturing certification

AS9110C

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace QMS standard for aircraft maintenance organizations.

Quick Verdict

BRC ensures food safety and retailer access via HACCP/GMP audits, while AS9110C delivers aerospace MRO airworthiness through configuration control and risk management. Food firms adopt BRC for supply chains; aviation adopts AS9110C for regulatory compliance and safety.

Food Safety

BRC

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

GFSI-benchmarked certification recognized by global retailers
Senior management commitment and food safety culture plan
Codex HACCP integrated with prerequisite programs
Fundamental non-negotiable requirements in nine clauses
Graded audits with unannounced options for confidence

Quality Management

AS9110C

AS9110C Quality Management Systems for Aviation Maintenance

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Risk-based thinking embedded in planning and operations
Configuration management for airworthiness traceability
Counterfeit parts prevention and detection controls
Human factors integration in competence and audits
Maintenance release and project management requirements

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 (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked third-party 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 food safety plan with prerequisite programs.

Key Components

Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP, FSQMS, site standards, product/process control, personnel, risk zones, traded products.
Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) that are non-negotiable for certification.
Built on HACCP principles, GMP/GHP, with grading (AA/A/B/C/D) via announced/unannounced audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Provides market access to retailers requiring GFSI certification, reduces duplicative audits, evidences due diligence, mitigates recall risks from allergens/pathogens/labelling. Enhances operational resilience, regulatory alignment (e.g., FSMA), and supply-chain trust.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: gap analysis, HACCP development, site upgrades, training, internal audits. Applies to manufacturers globally; requires annual certification audits by accredited bodies, with corrective actions and root cause analysis.

AS9110C Details

What It Is

AS9110C (AS9110:2016 Rev C) is an international quality management system (QMS) certification standard tailored for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 using the High-Level Structure (HLS), embedding risk-based thinking (RBT), PDCA cycles, and aerospace-specific controls for safety-critical processes like configuration management and counterfeit prevention.

Key Components

Core clauses (4-10): Context, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, Improvement.
Aviation additions: Configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, maintenance release, traceability.
Built on ISO 9001:2015 with IAQG enhancements; no fixed control count, focuses on documented information and evidence.
Certification via accredited registrars with Stage 1/2 audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets customer/OEM contracts, regulatory alignment (FAA/EASA Part-145).
Mitigates safety risks, reduces rework/AOG events.
Drives efficiency, market access via OASIS listing.
Builds stakeholder trust in airworthiness.

Implementation Overview

Phased: Gap analysis, process design, pilot, audits, certification.
Involves training, eQMS, internal audits; 6-12 months typical.
Applies to MROs globally; requires operational maturity pre-certification. (178 words)

Key Differences

Aspect	BRC	AS9110C
Scope	Food safety management, HACCP, GMP across supply chain	Aerospace MRO QMS, configuration, airworthiness, counterfeit prevention
Industry	Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, global retailers	Aviation maintenance/repair/overhaul, civil/military aircraft
Nature	GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard	IAQG QMS certification standard based on ISO 9001
Testing	Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits, grading AA/A/B	Internal audits, management reviews, Stage 1/2 certification audits
Penalties	Loss of certification, market exclusion, no legal fines	Certification withdrawal, regulatory sanctions, contract loss

Scope

BRC

Food safety management, HACCP, GMP across supply chain

AS9110C

Aerospace MRO QMS, configuration, airworthiness, counterfeit prevention

Industry

BRC

Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, global retailers

AS9110C

Aviation maintenance/repair/overhaul, civil/military aircraft

Nature

BRC

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard

AS9110C

IAQG QMS certification standard based on ISO 9001

Testing

BRC

Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits, grading AA/A/B

AS9110C

Internal audits, management reviews, Stage 1/2 certification audits

Penalties

BRC

Loss of certification, market exclusion, no legal fines

AS9110C

Certification withdrawal, regulatory sanctions, contract loss

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BRC and AS9110C

BRC FAQ

AS9110C FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP, FSQMS, site standards, product/process control, personnel, risk zones, traded products.

Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) that are non-negotiable for certification.

Built on HACCP principles, GMP/GHP, with grading (AA/A/B/C/D) via announced/unannounced audits.

What It Is

Key Components

Core clauses (4-10): Context, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, Improvement.

Aviation additions: Configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, maintenance release, traceability.

Built on ISO 9001:2015 with IAQG enhancements; no fixed control count, focuses on documented information and evidence.

Certification via accredited registrars with Stage 1/2 audits.

Aspect

BRC

AS9110C

Scope

Food safety management, HACCP, GMP across supply chain

Aerospace MRO QMS, configuration, airworthiness, counterfeit prevention

Industry

Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, global retailers

Aviation maintenance/repair/overhaul, civil/military aircraft

Nature

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard

IAQG QMS certification standard based on ISO 9001

Testing

Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits, grading AA/A/B

Internal audits, management reviews, Stage 1/2 certification audits

Penalties

Loss of certification, market exclusion, no legal fines

Certification withdrawal, regulatory sanctions, contract loss