BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution is an internationally recognized standard that focuses on the product safety in the logistics of the food product supply chain. The standard ensures that safety and operational management systems have been put in place for storage and transport facility for food and food products.
This is an important factor in the manufacturing and supply chain as special care must be taken for different products. For example, for food products the management must be such that it does not get contaminated at any stage during storing or transportation, so as to avoid endangering the health of consumers. Many food products also have specifications for storage and transportation so the product reaches the end-consumer in its prime state.
BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution come in extremely handy to show that the storage and transport facility that a company provides complies with all the safety and operational requirements for different products.
The new Standard is specifically designed for logistics operations dealing with Food, Packaging, and Consumer Products. It is easy to understand, uses prescriptive language, and applicable for global application. It is fully flexible as operations can implement the full scope, or a scope relevant to their operation e.g. Storage only, Distribution Only, Transport Only. The storage and/or distribution operations to which the Standard is applied can be at any point in the distribution chain from primary production to retail.
- Features and Benefits
- Applicability
- Consulting Methodology
The BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution includes a basis of IFS Logistics standard that has been developed by German, French and Italian retailers. This IFS standard’s goals to bridge the gap between suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, providing a uniform platform for set regulations. As such, the guidelines for all are connected and interdependent.
This BRCGS Global Standard entails that the enterprises have established safe practices for storing, transporting and distribution of a product. The standard looks at aspects like hygiene, cleanliness, pest control and maintenance of facilities. The involvement of the senior executives and how well the personnel are trained to manage operations are also some of the concerns reviewed during the evaluation. The standard’s guidelines have been issued with the retailers in mind, so that these enterprisers can conform to the regulatory requirements while ensure the safety of the consumers. The retailers can select storing and distribution services from accredited companies so as to protect the consumers.
Besides ensuring food safety and maintenance of quality, the BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution standard requires transparency in the operation and traceability of the entire system. The standard offers many benefits and some of the key ones for the storage, distribution, logistic providers are:
- Protect company reputation, brand and image
- Address consumer assurance demands and demonstrate industry best practice by encouraging the development of a product safety culture
- Reduction in risks and potential liabilities associated with storage and distribution
- Increased market access and market share (entry barrier removed)
- Regulatory compliance
- Reduced costs of failure
- Improved business improvement through continual improvement by enhancing root cause analysis and internal audit requirements, as well as access to BRCGS Service Package
- Compliance with a standard that is in line with GFSI 2020 requirements
The BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution is applicable to providers of storage, distribution and wholesale services for food and food packaging sectors. Companies that store and provide contracted services for processed and retail-ready food products are also eligible for this standard.
The companies must implement systematic planning that aligns with the requirements of BRCGS Global Standard. The enterprises should be prepared to make changes and adopt new practices that better fit the needs of the certification. With certification, come improved product safety and quality management systems for food products. The organizations should take the restructuring in a positive manner and remain committed throughout the processes. As for the certification process, the enterprise must follow a set timeline for implementation and assessment.
Technocrat Consultants helps companies plan their operations and services according to the guidelines in the standard. We stand by our clients so as to support them in the journey to acquire this certification. Our team is also involved in monitoring the systems established so that the company can retain the certification in the coming years.