The 10 main changes of BRC version 8

In august 2018, the British Retail Consortium (or BRC) has released their 8 version of its auditing code, starting February 1, 2019 comes into force.

Version 8 of BRC consolidates key issues, including ensuring its global applicability and the standardization regarding the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), encouraging the development of a food safety culture and expanding the requirements for environmental monitoring. In addition to these focus pointes, new sections and clauses are incorporated.

A QUALITY AND FOOD SAFETY CULTURE

Previously it was a voluntary requirement for companies, however in this 8 version a clause was added that introduces the food safety culture and quality as a mandatory requirement. The purpose of this is to promote among companies the importance of achieving this culture and developing action plans aimed at improving the food safety and quality culture.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

It incorporates clause 4.11.8 that defines that risk-based environmental monitoring programs must be implemented for pathogens or deteriorating organisms and must include at least all production areas with open field products and ready-to-eat. The clause also describes specifically what controls and measures should be implemented.

NEW FOOD DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS

The food defense and the potential intentionally contamination of internal and external sources now should be evaluated, defined, documented, controlled, monitored and reviewed according to the requirements of clause 4.2.1., 4.2.2 and 4.2.3

NEW CYBER SECURITY CLAUSES

In section 3, clause 3.11.1, it is established a requirement for organizations to implement procedures to document and manage cyber-attacks or failures on their internet security systems.

COMPLAINT SYSTEMS

Now, it is essential to have a complaint system in order to ensure that all inquiries related to product food safety, integrity, quality and legality for senior management can be informed in a confidential manner. The method should be clearly communicated to employees. It is necessary to implement and document a process to manage the inquiries raised.

HIGH RISK, HIGH CARE AND HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL CARE

The requirements for facilities falling within high-risk, high care, and high environmental care categories which were formerly part of section 4 and 7, have been centralized and are now in section 8. Websites should demonstrate that facilities and measurements are adequate to avoid product contamination by pathogens.

INTEGRATION OF PET FOOD

In Section 5 on Product Control, specific clauses were added for pet food; it covers the procedures for products with several animal species, and ensure that products are designed for their intended use, this includes that companies producing pet food for different species have procedures in place for managing ingredient, raw materials, products or reprocesses which may be harmful to an unwanted recipient species.

TRADED GOODS

In the past, the requirements for marketed products were a part of an additional voluntary module. Now, these have been introduced into section 9. The requirements of this section apply to companies that buy and sell product that normally would be within the scope of the standard, but these are only stored in the facilities of the company without being manufactured, processed or packed there. Any non-compliance with regards to the marketed products will now affect the overall rating.

AUDIT PROTOCOL

Unannounced auditing options: Option 2 (unannounced split audit) is removed from version 8 and will only be available until February 2019.

The unannounced audit program provides greater confidence in the SGIA and is intended to improve food safety culture.

The program remains voluntary. And the highest grade is still AA +.

ADITIONAL MODULES

Version 8.0 maintains the principles developed in version 7, to allow the incorporation of additional modules. These allow that companies choose to include additional requirements to their audit to meet particular client, regional or scheme needs, and reducing the amount of auditing processes. BRC Global Standard will continue developing such modules as a response to market needs and will make them available through the website.

Source: NSF International