BRC Global Standards has published the third issue of its internationally recognized BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution on August 1, 2016, and audits against Issue 3 will begin on February 1, 2017.

Originally introduced in 2006, the BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution was developed by a multi-stakeholder group including industry representatives, certification bodies and retailers, to provide the essential certification link between the range of BRC manufacturing Standards and the end users; retailers and food service companies. The Standard is designed to ensure best practice in handling, storage and distribution of products and promotes continuous improvement in operating practices to ensure product safety, quality and legality. It also enables certification of a range of contracted services commonly operated by storage companies on behalf of their customers to take into account the often diverse operations and networks making up the distribution chain.

Issue 3 of this Standard has been developed by a multi-stakeholder group including retailers, food service companies, industry trade associations, independent experts and certification bodies, and builds upon the experience from the previous issue. In revising the Standard, the current requirements have been developed to ensure that they are robust enough to meet the industry needs. Where applicable, requirements have been aligned with those that feature in the other Global Standards to ensure consistency and confidence throughout the entire supply chain.

What’s new in Issue 3? 
The development of Issue 3 followed a wide consultation to understand stakeholders’ requirements. A review of emerging issues was also carried out in the logistics industry and the industries it serves. The information has been developed and reviewed by a working group composed of stakeholders representing different sectors of the logistics industry, retailers, brand owners, certification bodies and independent technical experts.

The focus for Issue 3 is: 

•     continuing to ensure consistency of the audit process
•     grading system to increase recognition for better performing companies
•     unannounced options – full and 2 part to give even more confidence to customers that standards are constantly being applied
•     greater consistency with the requirements of the other BRC Global Standards
•     vehicle and load security
•     more robust requirements for own-label wholesalers to reduce their exposure to fraud
•     increased supplier approval requirements
•     focus on companies providing contracted services in areas that have traditionally resulted in recalls and withdrawals (e.g. label and packing management)

Thomas Owen, BRC Global Standards Scheme Manager, said, “The development of Issue 3 has been based on the values of the previous issues while ensuring that the update reflects the latest best practices. The consultation with the users of the Standard set the main focus for the rewrite on improving product security and reducing vulnerabilities in the supply chain. A big thank you to all the members of the working group as well as those that provided feedback on the various drafts of the Standard.”

The BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution Issue 3 will be available on BRC Participate, along with the Interpretation Guideline. BRC Participate offers immediate access to all documents relevant to a particular Standard, linking them clause by clause. Printed copies and PDF downloads are also available for purchase from the BRC Bookshop.

Source: BRC Global Standards