UL Certification
Third-party certification for product safety and compliance
BRC
Global standard for food safety in manufacturing
Quick Verdict
UL Certification verifies product safety through lab testing and factory audits for diverse industries, while BRC ensures food safety management via HACCP and site audits for manufacturers. Companies adopt UL for market access and liability reduction; BRC for retailer compliance.
UL Certification
UL Certification Mark Program
Key Features
- Develops and certifies to own consensus standards
- Distinct marks: Listed, Recognized, Classified scopes
- Mandatory factory follow-up inspections for surveillance
- OSHA-recognized NRTL for U.S. market access
- Enhanced/Smart marks with QR traceability
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- Senior management commitment and food safety culture
- Codex HACCP-based food safety plan
- Fundamental non-negotiable requirements like traceability
- Site standards with risk zoning and segregation
- GFSI-benchmarked grading and unannounced audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
UL Certification Details
What It Is
UL Certification is Underwriters Laboratories' third-party conformity assessment program for products, components, systems, facilities, and personnel. It verifies compliance with UL-authored consensus standards focused on safety, performance, EMC, environmental, and emerging risks like cybersecurity. The risk-based approach involves representative testing, technical review, and ongoing surveillance.
Key Components
- **UL MarksListed (end-use products), Recognized (components), Classified (limited scope), Verified (specific claims).
- Over 1500 standards across industries like electronics, energy, building.
- Core elements: construction requirements, performance testing, marking/instructions.
- Certification model: lab evaluation + factory inspections + follow-up services.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives market access via retailer/OSHA acceptance, reduces liability, signals due diligence. Though voluntary, it's de facto required for high-risk electrical products. Builds trust, enables premium pricing, supports ESG/sustainability claims.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, design compliance, prototype testing, factory readiness, certification, surveillance. Applies to all sizes/industries globally; involves UL labs/audits. Ongoing change management essential.
BRC Details
What It Is
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety 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, auditable management system combining senior management commitment, Codex HACCP-based food safety plans, and prerequisite programs (GMP/GHP).
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP, FSQMS, site standards, product/process controls, personnel, risk zones, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergens, internal audits) that are non-negotiable for certification.
- Built on risk-based hazard analysis including fraud, malicious contamination; grading model (AA/A/B/C/D).
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to retailers mandating GFSI schemes, reduces duplicative audits, demonstrates due diligence, mitigates recall risks from allergens/pathogens/labelling. Enhances operational resilience and stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, HACCP development, site upgrades, training, internal audits. Applies to food manufacturers globally; requires annual announced/unannounced audits by accredited bodies. Typical for mid-sized sites: 6-12 months.
Key Differences
| Aspect | UL Certification | BRC |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Product safety, performance across industries | Food safety management for manufacturing |
| Industry | Electronics, energy, building global | Food, packaging, storage primarily |
| Nature | Voluntary third-party product certification | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked audit scheme |
| Testing | Lab testing, factory inspections ongoing | Annual site audits, internal audits |
| Penalties | Loss of mark, no market access | Grade downgrade, certification suspension |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UL Certification and BRC
UL Certification FAQ
BRC FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Top 5 Unseen Complexities Modern Compliance Software Effortlessly Manages
Uncover top 5 unseen complexities modern compliance software manages effortlessly—from sensitive data mapping to real-time regulatory shifts. Automate audits, i
Real-World ISO 27701 Success: Synthesized Case Studies, Metrics, and Lessons for Privacy Resilience
Real-world ISO 27701 success from Tribeca, Kocho: DSAR efficiency gains, risk score reductions, certification ROI. Synthesized metrics prove privacy resilience
The CIS Controls v8.1 Evidence Pack: What Auditors Ask For (and How to Produce Proof Fast)
Fail CIS Controls v8.1 audits due to missing evidence? Get the blueprint: exact artifacts auditors want, repository structure, and automation from security tool
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
GDPR vs GLBA
Compare GDPR vs GLBA: EU's global privacy gold standard battles US financial data safeguards. Uncover key differences, fines up to 4% turnover, and compliance strategies now.
PCI DSS vs ISO 37301
Compare PCI DSS vs ISO 37301: PCI's payment data controls vs ISO's risk-based CMS. Uncover differences, synergies & benefits for compliance. Secure your strategy now!
Six Sigma vs IEC 62443
Compare Six Sigma vs IEC 62443: Explore quality methodologies and OT cybersecurity standards. Reduce defects, boost efficiency, secure industrial systems. Optimize now!