On March 8, 2023, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) – an amalgamation of national and regional accreditation bodies – and BRCGS – a provider of standards for quality, safety, and social and environmental responsibility in the food industry, aimed at instilling confidence in the supply chain stakeholders – entered into a Certification Program Approval Agreement. The agreement entails the inclusion of certificates issued according to BRCGS standards within the ambit of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Agreement. Thus:

  • The BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard, which encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including top management commitment, management systems, food safety planning, site standards, product and process control, and personnel,
  • The BRCGS Global Standard for Agents and Brokers, which provides a comprehensive framework for manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure product safety, quality, authenticity, and compliance with relevant technical regulations,
  • The BRCGS Global Standard for Packaging Materials, which establishes safety, quality, and operational criteria for organizations that manufacture and market packaging, including raw materials, production processes, and finished products,
  • The BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution, which stipulates requirements for product storage and distribution practices to help ensure that products comply with pertinent regulations and laws and reach customers in a safe and high-quality state,

will be acknowledged by pertinent stakeholders under the IAF Multilateral Recognition Agreement.

This recognition will enable BRCGS-certified manufacturers and service providers, which amount to around 33,000 in 130 countries, to access new markets while validating that their products are safe, comply with technical regulations, and are genuine.