BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 6

Certification Body Briefing document August 2011

I am delighted to announce that our new Issue 6 Food Standard has just been published. We would like to thank all those people who have contributed to the new Standard either by participating in the working groups or commenting on the drafts through your Certification Body co-operation groups or directly. We believe we have a Standard to be proud of and with your support and involvement the Standard is set to continue to grow and provide ever increasing opportunities for us all. The requirements to the standard have continued to evolve and be updated but the real step change for Issue 6 is the introduction of a consistent BRC way of auditing providing a challenging, demanding, consistent but fair audit process building upon the best audit practices that most of you already employ. To facilitate this we have made changes to the Standard to affect the balance of the audit with greater focus of good manufacturing processes, the report and importantly the quality of the training materials. This document provides a guide to the key information, dates and planning that you will need; to be in position to audit against the new Standard from the 1st January 2012. We will provide further updates as we progress to the launch of Issue 6 and keep the web site updated. Publication The Standard was published at the end of July 2011 and is currently available in English either as a pdf format or hard copy. The Standard is now being translated into the following languages: Chinese French German Swedish Italian North American Brazilian Portuguese Czech Spanish Russian Norwegian Polish Mexican Spanish Dutch

We are happy to consider requests for translations in other languages where there is sufficient interest. The translations should begin to be available from October 2011. In the interim a copy of the requirements in English are available on the BRC web site to allow sites the opportunity to prepare for the changes whilst their local language translation is completed. Note an original Standard will be required for the audit. Orders for the standard can be placed via the BRC Book Shop www.brcbookshop.com Implementation dates Audits carried out up to 31st December 2011 shall be carried out against Issue 5. Issue 6 must be used for all audits started on (i.e. first day of audit) 1st January 2012.

BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 6

Briefing document 1

August 2011

Validity of certificates Issued against Issue 5 Certificates Issued against the Issue 5 of the Standard will remain valid for the duration stated on the certificate. At the next re-audit date after 1st January 2012 the audit will be carried out against Issue 6 of the Standard. The transition from certification against Issue 5 to Issue 6 will be considered as a re-certification audit and must be within the audit due date indicated on the Issue 5 certificate. Auditor Training Courses The BRC have developed a new set of interactive training courses for auditors, manufacturers and consultants. The courses will be delivered by BRC Approved Training Providers (ATPs) only as previously indicated. All existing registered auditors wanting to audit against Issue 6 must complete the 2 day conversion course BRC Global Standard for Food Safety - Auditor conversion Issue 5 to Issue 6 .and successfully complete the exam. All new auditors not registered and approved for Issue 5, will need to complete the Understanding BRC Global Standard Food safety Issue 6 course 2 days and A BRC Audit report writing and audit techniques course 1 day and successfully complete the exams The exam format will be an open book multiple choice exam The marking system for the auditors exam is as follows 80% and greater Pass 60- 80% - Certificate of attendance - the exam must be re taken <60% - Certificate of attendance Course and exam to be retaken Details of public courses will be available in the training area of the BRC website www.brcglobalstandards.com. Audit reports The audit report format will be different for Issue 6 of the Standard. The new report will include an increased audit summary section and an overall reduction in the level of detail in the back of the report. Full details will be provided in the training. A separate audit check list, split to facilitate the auditing of GMP and systems as introduced in Issue 6 will also be made available. Dates will be confirmed for the availability of the new report format and checklists including availability in several languages. BRC Directory The BRC Directory will be reconfigured to accept the changes to the Issue 6 audit report. This work is scheduled to be completed by December 2011

BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 6

Briefing document 1

August 2011

A separate briefing document will be produced explaining any changes once the work on the Directory has been completed. Accreditation The process for amending the scope of your accreditation from Issue 5 to Issue 6 will vary between Accreditation Bodies and we advise that you check early with your Accreditation Body. It is expected that in most instances this will be undertaken as a document review process to demonstrate updated procedures for the Issue 6 Standard and the training of the auditors.

BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 6

Briefing document 1

August 2011