Packaging is a fundamental part of any brand. It defines product integrity, security and drives innovation. Consumers are attracted to strong and recognisable products that need to be consistent in size, colour and shape. Packaging is therefore an integral part of the manufacturing process.
The Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials is the first packaging standard in the world to be recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) benchmarking committee. It’s why over 3,500 suppliers in over 80 countries have chosen to be certificated to this scheme and it is recommended or accepted by specifiers worldwide.
The Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials can be used by any manufacturer producing packaging materials for all types of products – from food to consumer products – at all levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.
The Standard focuses on:
Key features integral to the Standard, such as:
- meeting the needs of retailers and brand owners to reduce the audit burden;
- better recognition of the diversity of the packaging industry and its customers’ demands;
- encouraging greater transparency and traceability in the supply chain; and
- encouraging adoption of the Standard as a means of improving product safety at small sites and facilities where processes are still in development.
Additional focus for the new standard also includes:
- enhancing the processes used by quality management systems in printed packaging controls and through a hazard and risk analysis approach;
- continuing to ensure consistency of the audit process across the world;
- the importance of a product safety and quality culture in the drive to improve transparency and coherence across the food supply chain;
- simplifying the hygiene requirements based solely on risk;
- introducing a new fundamental clause, corrective and preventive actions, to address issues and minimise the risk of their occurring;
- based on risk, putting a microbiological environmental monitoring programme in place; and
- simplifying the unannounced audit programme.
The requirements of Issue 6 have evolved from those of previous issues. There continues to be an emphasis on management commitment, a hazard and risk analysis-based product safety programme and a supporting quality management system. The objective has been to direct the focus of the audit towards the implementation of good manufacturing practices within the production areas while recognising the diversity and breadth of the packaging industry, and the skills required to audit it.
The current version of the Standard is currently split into 7 modules.
BRCGS packaging consultancy services
Five Star Food Safety offer BRCGS Packaging Consultancy to ensure that your business achieves accreditation and maintains accreditation. Our services include:
- Expert interpretation of the current BRCGS Standard and legal requirements.
- Gap analysis of current systems vs. those required to meet the requirements of the standard.
- Providing accredited Training to all staff levels of the business.
- Development and implementation of systems and procedures to meet the requirements of the standard and business requirements.
- Management of projects, action plans and remedial actions to ensure deadlines are met.
- Working with the Product Safety team to produce a verified process flow and robust risk assessment of relevant product safety hazards.
- Assistance with the actual audit. We can be present on the day and provide any support you may need during what can be a quite daunting time (especially the first one).
- Ongoing support in order to retain accreditation status or improve the certification assessment grade.
- Ongoing support to help your business make the cultural changes needed to obtain Unannounced Accreditation.