The safe transportation of temperature-controlled goods relies on many industry certifications, including the BRCGS transport certification. As a BRCGS Storage and Distribution AA Certified company, we’re proud to offer high standards of hygiene and risk management – as approved by the organisation.
How does the BRCGS certification work?
BRCGS is the certifying body that sets and revises the standard as it applies to the food industry. The BRC Global Standard was originally introduced in 2006 and later became the BRCGS and it is currently on issue 4. It offers manufacturers added assurance that their distributor has a risk-based product and safety management system.
This means that sensitive products, such as temperature-controlled goods, must follow a stringent set of standards to maintain optimum quality throughout the distribution process. A BRCGS transport accreditation is particularly pertinent for food safety during transportation and storage, ensuring that temperatures are maintained and any risk of cross-contamination is kept to a minimum.
What it takes to be BRCGS accredited
The BRCGS certification for storage and distribution involves eight strict standards:
- Senior management teams must always strive for improvement.
- Effective Quality Management Systems (QMSs) must be in place.
- All equipment used in facilities must be suitable and in a good condition.
- Hazard and risk analyses must be carried out regularly.
- Site managers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment.
- Vehicles must be fit for purpose and in a good state of repair.
- There must be a goods acceptance procedure, for example, fitting specifications.
- All staff must be adequately trained and supervised for ongoing health and safety.
So, what does this mean in practice? Let’s break each standard down.
Continuous improvement
Tech upgrades, new transport routes and staff training mean there are always ways to improve the efficiency of food distribution. Distributors must act upon any developments to assure customers.
Quality Management Systems
Managers must have records of food hygiene checks, for example, temperature and allergen data.
Warehouse equipment
Site managers must ensure they’re using the right tools for specific foods, for example, load-bearing pallets to carry heavy bagged items.
Risk assessments
Warehouse managers must identify any safety risks both for workers and stock – for example, storing free-from foods near foods that contain allergens.
Safe working environments
Hygiene checks must be carried out regularly, ensuring systems are in place for pest control and temperature maintenance. Sites used to store, manufacture and prepare foodstuffs must be laid out and secured according to strict standards.
Vehicle checks
Vehicle operating standards ensure distribution vehicles are roadworthy and fit for purpose, for example, hanging meat transport or the distribution of edible oils.
Goods acceptance
Distributors should have a recorded process for ensuring customer satisfaction when handing over goods, for example, a checklist for food quality.
Staff training
Appropriate staff must know how to use the equipment to which they are assigned, such as real-time temperature analysis or distribution vehicles.
How does the BRCGS accreditation affect transport?
The BRCGS certification body ensures that transport protects consumer product quality throughout the journey. It’s the global standard for storage and distribution of food products, applying to distribution issues, risk analysis and legal requirements.
The BRCGS conforms to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarks which have been set for over 20 years. Together, these schemes provide rigorous requirements for all logistics partners across the supply chain. The certification also ensures ongoing excellence. Senior management commitment must be put forward, taking responsibility for ongoing improvements and enhancements of processes.
BRCGS transport and food safety
For food manufacturers, logistics partners provide a crucial service. They are responsible for the safekeeping of food, ensuring goods arrive at retailers in top condition for consumers. In the end, your choice of logistics partner affects your brand reputation.
Logistics partners following BRCGS storage and distribution certification guidelines ensure product safety at every stage of the journey. This is done through strict guidelines on good operating practices, labelling and packaging materials. Requirements of the standard mean that your logistics partner reaches a globally recognised benchmark for the safekeeping of food products.
Challenges when transporting food products
Facility management
Hazard analysis such as HACCP must be in place, with regular internal audits to ensure standard principles and frameworks are met. Personal hygiene needs are also made clear for staff handling foodstuffs, while aspects of transport like cross-docking and drop-offs must also meet the requirements.
Product inspection
Processors must inspect products if necessary to ensure standards are met, subject to supplier approval.
Traceability
Should the quality or legality of any products be called into question, there must be full traceability to enable any product recalls.
Waste management
Any waste must be handled as per guidelines, with steps to address non-conformities and specialised waste. This includes waste reduction and recycling.
Who is responsible for maintaining BRCGS standards?
Meeting food safety regulations such as (EC) 852 of 2004 are paramount to the food industry. Dedicated quality assurance professionals and technical teams work tirelessly to maintain the integrity of products along the supply chain.
Every food manufacturing business will employ a Technical Manager, Quality Assurance Manager or equivalent personnel in charge of the overall product safety, ensuring a robust BRCGS food safety culture is maintained throughout their practices.
As BRCGS audits are often conducted unannounced, these standards must be adhered to at all times, and should be embedded in each company’s operations.
How are BRCGS audits graded?
BRCGS food safety audits are marked in accordance with the number and type of non-conformances found during an inspection. These non-conformances are classified as either minor, major or critical, which are described as the following:
- Minor – a small non-conformance or deviation from the guidelines or where a clause has only been partially met.
- Major – a non-conformance wherein significant doubt is raised with regards to the standards of the product.
- Critical – a serious non-conformance wherein a direct food safety breach or legal issue is identified.
The BRCGS commands corrective action; if any non-conformances are identified and no sufficient evidence of improvement of the non-conformities is supplied within 28 days, then that company will not be able to acquire accreditation and it will be required to conduct another full audit before further BRCGS certification can be considered.
Early preparation is required of BRCGS audits, meaning that to ensure distribution and storage partners are compliant and their QMS is implemented is well established. They will also need to possess 3 months’ worth of records to be audited and scrutinised.
Why it’s important to choose a BRCGS accredited distributor
BRCGS transport guarantees the highest standards of food hygiene, helping to minimise waste for manufacturers and maintain legal compliance. The BRCGS food safety certification is regularly updated – with issue 4 launched in November 2020 – so a BRCGS accredited company will always be committed to improvement.
From trained personnel to a higher standard end product, the BRCGS accreditation offers extra assurance to everybody in the supply chain.