What is the primary objective of BRC?

The primary objective of BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is to ensure organizations produce 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 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?

BRC compliance is professionally required for food manufacturers, processors, packers, and related supply-chain entities seeking market access to major retailers worldwide. It targets 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 BRCGS for supplier approval, though it is not a legal requirement.

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

Yes, BRC requires external audits by accredited certification bodies leading to third-party certification. Audits are site-specific, annual (announced or unannounced), and evaluate compliance across nine Issue 9 clauses; certification is issued for one year based on grading (AA/A/B/C/D), with non-conformities requiring root cause analysis and corrective actions before issuance.

How often should an assessment for BRC be performed?

BRC requires annual external certification audits, supplemented by internal audits at least four times yearly. Internal audits must cover the full scope across different dates, with risk-based frequency; management reviews occur annually, and fundamental clauses like HACCP demand ongoing verification, change-triggered reviews, and pre-startup audits for seasonal sites.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with BRC?

Non-compliance with BRC results in non-certification, grade downgrades, or certificate withdrawal, blocking retailer supply-chain access. Major non-conformities in fundamental clauses (e.g., HACCP, traceability) prevent certification; critical issues trigger immediate suspension, commercial delisting, and re-audit costs, plus heightened recall risks from failures in allergens, hygiene, or labelling.

Can BRC be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, BRC can be mapped to other GFSI-benchmarked frameworks, providing a foundation for regulatory alignment like FSMA Preventive Controls. Its HACCP, PRPs, and governance align comparably or exceed FSMA requirements, though adaptations for terminology (e.g., PCQI designation) and validation cadences are needed; it supports multi-scheme interoperability without full recertification.

What is the first step to begin implementing BRC?

The first step to implement BRC is securing senior management commitment via a signed food safety policy and defining site scope. Assemble a multidisciplinary team, conduct a gap analysis against Issue 9 clauses using BRC tools like the Get Started Assessment, and prioritize fundamental requirements (e.g., HACCP plan, site standards) for phased remediation.

What is the primary objective of FSSC 22000?

FSSC 22000's primary objective is to ensure certified organizations consistently provide safe food through a GFSI-benchmarked Food Safety Management System (FSMS). It integrates ISO 22000:2018 requirements (clauses 4–10, PDCA cycle), sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-1 for food manufacturing), and FSSC Additional Requirements (e.g., food defense, allergen management) for auditable integrity across food chain categories B–K.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with FSSC 22000?

No organizations are legally required to comply with FSSC 22000, as it is a voluntary GFSI-recognized certification scheme. Professionally, it is required by retailers, manufacturers, and foodservice operators for suppliers in categories like food manufacturing (C), packaging (I), transport/storage (G), and brokering (FII), enabling market access via 40,059 certified sites worldwide.

Does FSSC 22000 require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, FSSC 22000 mandates third-party certification by licensed Certification Bodies (CBs) accredited per ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and ISO 22003-1:2022. Initial certification involves Stage 1 (readiness) and Stage 2 (implementation) audits, with at least 50% of time on operational PRPs/control measures; annual surveillance and triennial recertification follow, per Scheme Part 3.

How often should an assessment for FSSC 22000 be performed?

FSSC 22000 requires annual surveillance audits and full recertification every three years by licensed CBs. Internal audits must cover the full FSMS (ISO 22000, PRPs, Additional Requirements) at least annually, with management reviews incorporating performance data; multi-site organizations audit all sites yearly with central oversight.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with FSSC 22000?

Non-compliance with FSSC 22000 results in major/minor nonconformities, requiring corrective actions with timelines per Scheme Part 3; unresolved cases lead to certification suspension or withdrawal. Certified sites must notify CBs within three working days of serious events (e.g., recalls); repeat failures trigger Integrity Program actions, market exclusion, and reputational damage.

Can FSSC 22000 be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, FSSC 22000's ISO 22000:2018 harmonized structure enables mapping to other ISO management systems like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Shared elements include PDCA cycles, leadership (clause 5), internal audits (clause 9), and continual improvement (clause 10), reducing duplication while layering food-specific PRPs and Additional Requirements.

What is the first step to begin implementing FSSC 22000?

The first step is to define the FSMS scope per ISO 22003-1:2022 categories (e.g., C for manufacturing) and conduct a gap analysis against ISO 22000:2018, applicable PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-1), and FSSC Additional Requirements. Secure executive commitment via a Top Management meeting, then download free Scheme documents (Parts 1–5, BoS decisions) for self-assessment.

Standards Comparison

BRC vs FSSC 22000

BRC

Voluntary

2022

GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety management

FSSC 22000

Voluntary

2023

GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme for food safety management.

Quick Verdict

BRC offers prescriptive food safety standards for manufacturers seeking retailer access, while FSSC 22000 provides flexible ISO-based FSMS across food chains. Companies adopt BRC for retail compliance, FSSC for global GFSI benchmarking and integration.

Food Safety

BRC

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

GFSI-recognized certification enabling global retailer supply chains
Fundamental clauses ensuring non-negotiable safety controls
HACCP-based plan integrating fraud and defence risks
Expanded environmental monitoring for pathogen control
Unannounced audits rewarding continuous operational readiness

Food Safety

FSSC 22000

Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Combines ISO 22000, PRPs, and Additional Requirements
GFSI-benchmarked for global supply chain recognition
Food defense and fraud vulnerability assessments
Sector-specific PRPs for food chain categories
Mandatory food safety culture objectives

Detailed Analysis

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

BRC Details

What It Is

The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality via senior management commitment, a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan, and prerequisite programs like GMP/GHP.

Key Components

Structured into nine core clauses: Senior Management Commitment, Food Safety Plan, FSQMS, Site Standards, Product Control, Process Control, Personnel, High-Risk/High-Care Zones, and Traded Products. Features fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) with graded certification (AA/A/B/C/D grades) and unannounced audit options.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives retailer market access, reduces customer audits, evidences due diligence, mitigates recalls from allergens/pathogens/labelling, enhances resilience via root cause analysis and culture plans.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation/training, internal audits, certification by accredited bodies. Typically 6-12 months for mid-sized sites; suits global food manufacturers with annual surveillance.

FSSC 22000 Details

What It Is

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It applies across food chain categories from farming to packaging, using a risk-based PDCA approach integrating ISO 22000:2018 requirements.

Key Components

**Three pillarsISO 22000:2018 (clauses 4-10), sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002 series), FSSC Additional Requirements (e.g., food defense, fraud, allergens, culture).
Over 100 requirements across management, operations, and verification.
Built on HACCP principles within a full management system.
Third-party certification by licensed bodies per ISO 22003-1:2022.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer and global trade demands via GFSI recognition.
Reduces recalls, enhances supply chain trust.
Manages risks like fraud, defense, allergens.
Boosts reputation, market access, efficiency.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, FSMS build, PRPs/HACCP, audits.
For food manufacturers, caterers, logistics; all sizes.
Global applicability; requires Stage 1/2 audits, surveillance.

Key Differences

Aspect	BRC	FSSC 22000
Scope	Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, trading; 9 prescriptive clauses	Full food chain categories B-K; ISO 22000 + PRPs + additional requirements
Industry	Food manufacturers, retailers' suppliers worldwide	Food chain: manufacturing, packaging, logistics, catering globally
Nature	Prescriptive GFSI-benchmarked certification standard	ISO-based GFSI scheme with sector PRPs and additions
Testing	Annual announced/unannounced audits; grading AA/A/B	ISO 22003 audits: stage 1/2, surveillance, recertification
Penalties	Grade downgrade, certification loss, customer delisting	Non-conformities, certification suspension/withdrawal

Scope

BRC

Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, trading; 9 prescriptive clauses

FSSC 22000

Full food chain categories B-K; ISO 22000 + PRPs + additional requirements

Industry

BRC

Food manufacturers, retailers' suppliers worldwide

FSSC 22000

Food chain: manufacturing, packaging, logistics, catering globally

Nature

BRC

Prescriptive GFSI-benchmarked certification standard

FSSC 22000

ISO-based GFSI scheme with sector PRPs and additions

Testing

BRC

Annual announced/unannounced audits; grading AA/A/B

FSSC 22000

ISO 22003 audits: stage 1/2, surveillance, recertification

Penalties

BRC

Grade downgrade, certification loss, customer delisting

FSSC 22000

Non-conformities, certification suspension/withdrawal

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BRC and FSSC 22000

BRC FAQ

FSSC 22000 FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

**Three pillarsISO 22000:2018 (clauses 4-10), sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002 series), FSSC Additional Requirements (e.g., food defense, fraud, allergens, culture).

Over 100 requirements across management, operations, and verification.

Built on HACCP principles within a full management system.

Third-party certification by licensed bodies per ISO 22003-1:2022.

Aspect

BRC

FSSC 22000

Scope

Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, trading; 9 prescriptive clauses

Full food chain categories B-K; ISO 22000 + PRPs + additional requirements

Industry

Food manufacturers, retailers' suppliers worldwide

Food chain: manufacturing, packaging, logistics, catering globally

Nature

Prescriptive GFSI-benchmarked certification standard

ISO-based GFSI scheme with sector PRPs and additions

Testing

Annual announced/unannounced audits; grading AA/A/B

ISO 22003 audits: stage 1/2, surveillance, recertification

Penalties

Grade downgrade, certification loss, customer delisting

Non-conformities, certification suspension/withdrawal