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BRC Food Hygiene and Safety


BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Scheme

Introduction

The multitude of recent food safety scares has prompted intense public scrutiny of the food industry. In response the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) has expanded its services to include the BRC Global Standard forFood Safety Issue 5.

NSAI are accredited to EN 45011 by UKAS to provide certification to BRC Global Standards for Food Safety Issue 5 and BRC IoP Global Standards - Packaging Issue 3.

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety sets out the requirements for the supply of retailer branded products, branded food products and processed or prepared food or ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies and food manufacturers.

The Standard has been developed to assist Retailers in their fulfilment of legal obligations and protection of the consumer, by providing a common basis for auditing companies supplying Retailer branded food products.

This Standard encompasses the fundamental principles of the Retailer's own standards and has been continually reviewed to reflect the requirements of both Retailers and their suppliers. It is not intended to replace the requirement of any legislation, where this legislation requires a higher standard for a specific Industry sector.

The Standard is reviewed on a regular basis by the BRC membership and revised, where considered appropriate.

The Standard requires:

· the adoption and implementation of HACCP

· control of factory environment standards, product, process and personnel

· a documented and effective quality management system

Benefits of Registration

·       Independent verification of effective implementation and operation

·       Cost-effective control of food borne hazards

·       Proactive approach –identifying and controlling food safety hazards

·       Benchmarking with best practices

·       Stimulus for continual improvement

·       Increased confidence for customers / consumers

·       Listing on BRC Directory of certified companies

BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 5

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has been revised and Issue 5 was published on 4th January 2008 and is effective from 1st July 2008.

There was a thorough review of all clauses to provide greater guidance for food businesses and clarity to auditors.  The main changes to the Standard from Issue 4 are outlined here.

Optional Unannounced Audits

These are now available for companies gaining grade A or B audit score at announced audits.  A successful unannounced audit results in the awarding of an * against the resulting A, B of C grade.

Grading Scheme

A more rigorous grading scheme for grades B, C and D has been introduced with a revisit by the certification body required within 28 days to verify corrective actions for Grade C as well as audit frequency reduced to 6 months.

Product Categories

These have been reviewed and updated and are now cross referenced with fields of audit pertinent to auditor requirements.  This listing is more clearly based on product technologies.

Report Format

The report format has been updated to provide enhanced presentation of information to the user and report owner.

Auditor Qualifications

Details on the requirements for auditors is now included within the Standard to ensure transparency and allow companies to verify auditor qualifications.

Requirements Clauses

The requirements have been reviewed and expanded (now consisting of 326 clauses from 270 in Issue 4 ).  These provide more detailed guidance and clarity to facilitate interpretation for certification bodies and companies. 

 

Registration Process

A request for a quotation and an application form can be made by contacting the Food Services Dept. see details below.

Following acknowledgement of an application a lead auditor is assigned. The applicant’s Food Safety Management documentation is then submitted and reviewed by NSAI.

A date is agreed and scheduled for the on-site inspection.

On completion of the on-site audit corrective actions are discussed and the findings reported to the company. Following a satisfactory resolution of the audit non-conformances a Certificate of Evaluation is issued to the company; registration is maintained through an on going process of surveillance audits.

NSAI is now in a position to provide this service cost effectively

Contacts:

Siun Ensko
tel:  353 1 8073857
fax: 353 1 8073844
email: Siun Ensko

   
Vincent Delaney
Operations Manager
Food/Agriculture
tel: 353 61 332882
fax: 353 61 332982
email: Vincent Delaney

VD Rev. 11




Last Updated - [21 Nov 2008 @ 09:40:07]

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Email: nsai@nsai.ie

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