BRCGS Audit: Requirements, Process, Grades, and Certification Explained

Food safety compliance directly affects a food business’s ability to trade, retain customers, and meet retailer expectations. For manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers, meeting BRCGS audit requirements is a widely accepted benchmark for demonstrating control over food safety, quality, and compliance across the supply chain. The BRCGS audit framework provides a structured way to measure performance through defined audit grades, ratings, and scores. Businesses can demonstrate credibility and consistency to buyers worldwide. As food safety risks, regulatory scrutiny, and customer expectations continue to increase, understanding how BRCGS audits influence certification outcomes has become essential for long-term operational and commercial success.

This blog explains how BRCGS audits work, what auditors look for, grade calculations, and how businesses can prepare to meet certification expectations with confidence.

BRC Global Standards (BRCGS) and Issue 9

BRC Global Standards (BRCGS) is a globally recognised food safety and quality certification framework used by manufacturers, processors, and suppliers across the food supply chain. Originally developed by the British Retail Consortium, the standards were acquired by the LGC Group in 2016 and rebranded in 2019 as Brand Reputation through Compliance of Global Standards (BRCGS).

Today, BRCGS is adopted by over 30,000 certified sites in more than 130 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted food safety certification programs worldwide. It was also the first standard to introduce formal food safety culture requirements, define food fraud controls, and achieve GFSI certification.

BRCGS provides a comprehensive framework covering food safety management systems, product safety, packaging, storage, distribution, legality, and operational controls, helping organisations identify and address approximately 185,000 non-conformities each year.

BRCGS Issue 9

The BRC’s Issue 9 was published on August 1, 2022, and is effective for audits from February 1, 2023.

BRC Issue 9 has two core themes: developing a food safety culture and building core competencies.

The updated standards are structured around nine core sections. These 9 sections represent the series of requirements for the BRC audit certification:

1. Senior Management Commitment

It emphasizes the crucial role of top leadership in fostering a culture of food safety throughout the organization.

2. The Food Safety Plan – HACCP

The updated HACCP requirements focus on a more preventative and risk-based approach, aligning with the Codex Alimentarius principles.

3. Food Safety and Quality Management System

It reinforces the importance of integrating food safety into the core business management system.

4. Site Standards

Hygiene and sanitation requirements are enhanced, with stricter guidelines for pest control, cleaning validation, and temperature control.

5. Product Control

Product specifications, traceability, and recall procedures are given greater emphasis to ensure product safety at every stage.

6. Process Control

Process validation and monitoring are strengthened to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure product consistency.

7. Personnel

Training and competency requirements for food handlers are expanded, promoting a knowledgeable and responsible workforce.

8. Production Risk Zones

Specific controls are outlined for production areas, including high-risk, high-care, and ambient high-care, handling particularly vulnerable or sensitive products.

9. Requirements for Traded Products

It addresses the growing complexity of global food chains, ensuring the safety of traded products.

What is a BRCGS Audit?

A BRC audit evaluates a company’s compliance with the BRC Global Standards. It is an assessment of the food safety management system, processes, and procedures for the organization. It is conducted by an independent BRC-accredited certification body to ensure that the company meets the requirements of the BRC Global Standard for food safety.

BRCGS audit is relevant for companies that:

• Process or work with open food
• Ingredient suppliers that supply retailers with ingredients and other food products
• Manufacture consumer products and handle non-food items
• Buy, sell, or facilitate the trade of products, but do not manufacture, process, or store the products

There are two main types of BRC audits:

• Full (Announced) BRC audit
• Unannounced audit

Both these BRC audits result in an official grade decided by the auditor, based on specific criteria.

BRC Grades: An Overview

BRCGS audits are graded based on the number and severity of non-conformances identified during the audit process.

Non-conformances are categorised as minor, major, or critical:

• Minor non-conformance: A small deviation from the standard where the requirement is not fully met but does not directly threaten product safety or legality.
• Major non-conformance: A significant deviation that raises doubt about the conformity of the product or the effectiveness of the management system.
• Critical non-conformance: A serious failure that poses an immediate food safety risk or breaches legal requirements. Any critical non-conformance typically results in certification failure (Uncertified).

The BRC grades are based on the company’s performance in the following areas:

• Food safety
• Quality management
• Compliance with legal requirements
• Continuous improvement

Announced	Unannounced	Non-Conformances
AA	AA+	Lesser than 5 errors
A	A+	5 to 10 errors
B	B+	11 to 16 minors, or 1 major, and up to 10 minors
C	C+	17 to 24 minors, or 1 major and up to 16 minors, or 2 majors and up to 10 minors
D	D+	25 and 30 minors, or 1 major and up to 24 minors, or 2 majors and up to 16 minors
Uncertified	Uncertified	1 or more critical, 31 or more minors, 1 major and 25 or more minors, 2 majors and 17 or more minors, or 3 or more majors

BRC grades help buyers and specifiers understand how well a company manages its food safety systems and are often used to determine audit frequency and commercial acceptance.

How to Prepare For a BRCGS Audit?

Here’s a comprehensive guide on conducting a BRCGS audit:

1. Understand BRC Audit Requirements

There are four key components of every BRCGS audit, including the following:

• Documentation review: This involves reviewing the company’s food safety documentation to ensure that it is complete and accurate. This documentation includes the company’s food safety manual, procedures, and records.
• Site inspection: This involves conducting a thorough inspection of the company’s production facilities, equipment, and premises. It includes identifying any conditions that could pose a risk to food safety, such as poor sanitation, inadequate pest control, or improper storage of food.
• Employee interviews: Employees are interviewed to assess their understanding and adherence to food safety practices. It also included reviewing their roles and responsibilities, their training, and their knowledge of food safety procedures.
• Product testing: This includes testing finished products to verify their safety and quality. Microbiological testing, chemical testing, and sensory testing are some common types of product testing that form part of BRC audits.

2. Perform BRC Internal Audit

• Gather comprehensive documentation: Assemble all necessary documents demonstrating consistent food safety management, including policies, procedures, records, plans, reports, certificates, licenses, and training materials. Make sure your documents are accurate, traceable, and easily available.
• Conduct thorough internal audits: Identify potential gaps and areas for improvement before the official audit. You can do so by conducting thorough internal audits. For internal audits, your team should be comprised of members who have in-depth knowledge and experience in BRC standards and the overall food industry.
• Use BRC audit checklists: Use BRC internal audit checklists to ensure thorough coverage of all audit criteria and track progress.
• Train personnel: Educate your staff on BRC standards and audit procedures to ensure preparedness and compliance. The audit procedures can include assessment, testing, sampling, verification, reporting, and more.

3. External BRC Audit Execution

• Pre-audit briefing: Holding a pre-audit briefing with the auditor will help you establish the expectations, scope, and timelines of the audit.
• Documentation review: The auditor examines documentation for compliance with BRC standards. Documentation review will also enable the auditor to assess your company’s other documentation, including food safety plans, quality manuals, procedures, and records.
• On-site inspection: The auditor will conduct an on-site inspection of your premises, including production areas, storage facilities, and equipment. A thorough walkthrough of the facility will enable the auditor to observe practices, conditions, and potential risks.
• Evidence evaluation: The auditor will evaluate the evidence gathered during the documentation review and on-site inspection to assess compliance with BRC standards.

4. Report Audit Findings and Follow-up

• Document audit findings: The auditor documents all audit findings, including non-conformities and areas for improvement.
• Root cause analysis: It involves identifying the underlying causes of non-conformities. Conducting a thorough investigation to identify the underlying causes of non-conformities will prevent them from recurring.
• Corrective action plan: It outlines the steps to address and prevent the non-conformities from happening again. The corrective plan should also include clear timelines, accountable parties, and verification techniques.
• Continuous improvement suggestions: The auditor may offer recommendations for continuous improvement to enhance your food safety and quality, and food safety management system.
• Post-audit activities: You must implement the corrective actions as per the agreed timelines. Monitor the effectiveness of the corrective actions and make necessary adjustments. Continuously review and improve your food safety and quality management systems to maintain compliance with BRC standards.

Though the above process might look daunting, BRC software can help you prepare for and conduct a successful BRCGS audit. It can provide you with a structured approach to assessing compliance with the BRC standard and help you identify areas for improvement.

Free Food & Safety Inspection Checklists

Access GoAudits’ library of free and customizable BRC audit checklists.

• BRC Management Commitment Checklist (Clause 1)
• BRC Food Safety Plan HACCP Checklist (Clause 2)
• BRC Food Safety & Quality Management System Checklist (Clause 3)
• BRC Audit Site Standards Checklist (Clause 4)
• BRC Audit Product Control Checklist (Clause 5)
• BRC Audit Process Control Checklist (Clause 6)
• BRC Personnel Checklist (Clause 7)
• BRC Production Risk Zones Checklist (Clause 8)
• BRC Audit Traded Products Checklist (Clause 9)

In our checklist template library, you will also find dozens of food safety checklists, some examples include:

• Food Safety & Hygiene Checklist
• Hygiene Standard Checklist
• Food Allergen Checklist
• Hygiene Checklist for the Food Industry
• Food Hygiene Audit Checklist

BRC Audit Certification

BRC audit certification shows that a food business adheres to the BRC Global Standards of food safety and quality management system, and is committed to providing safe food to consumers. In addition to guaranteed food safety, other benefits of BRC certification include operational efficiency, access to global markets, and increased customer confidence.

Who Issues BRC Audit Certification?

A BRC audit certificate is issued by a BRCGS-approved certification body.

Auditors who issue a certificate against any global food standard must work for a certification body. BRC certification bodies are independent organizations that are accredited to conduct audits and issue certificates against the BRC Global Standards. They are responsible for assessing whether your business’s food safety, quality, and operational management systems meet the requirements of the relevant BRC Standard.

An independent auditor cannot issue a BRCGS audit certificate. The auditor writes a full report once the BRC audit is complete. The certification body then reviews the audit report and the actions taken by your company to correct identified non-conformities. Eventually, it approves or declines the BRC audit certification.

BRC Audit Certification Requirements

The requirements for BRC audit certification vary depending on the type of food business. However, some of the general requirements include:

• Food safety management system: You must have a documented food safety management system that is based on the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
• HACCP plan: You must have a HACCP plan that identifies and controls food safety hazards. HACCP software can help automate and streamline the process of creating and managing HACCP plans, while HACCP checklists can be used to verify that critical control points are being met.
• Internal audits: You must conduct regular internal audits to verify that the food safety management system is effective.
• Continuous review: You must conduct regular management reviews to assess the effectiveness of the food safety management system.

BRC Audit Certification Requirements Process

The BRC audit certification process involves the following steps:

• Application: A food business must submit an application to a BRC-approved certification body.
• Assessment: The certification body will conduct an assessment of the food business to verify that it meets the requirements of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety.
• Certification: If your food business meets the requirements of the standard, it will be issued a BRC certificate.

What are the Benefits of BRC Audit Certification?

Adopting BRC Standards offers several benefits, including the following:

• Ensures compliance with food safety laws, reducing legal and regulatory risk.
• Strengthens credibility with retailers and suppliers through proven food safety standards.
• Builds consumer confidence by demonstrating a strong commitment to food safety and quality.
• Reduces the likelihood of contamination, recalls, and non-conformances.
• Minimizes waste, rework, and recall costs through standardized, efficient processes.

With GoAudits, you can streamline your BRCGS audit processes, improve efficiency, and enhance compliance. With GoAudits, you can effectively manage audit schedules, assign tasks, collaborate with team members, and generate detailed reports.