The British Retail Consortium Technical Standards

Requirements for Organisations Offering Certification

Against The Criteria of
The British Retail Consortium Technical Standards

Document Distribution:
Registered Certification Bodies
Participating National Accreditation Bodies
BRC Members
BRC Technical Committee Members

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Contents

Section

1. Introduction
1.1. History
1.2. Quality
1.3. Legislative Requirements

2. Purpose

3. BRC Standards -Scheme Requirements

3.1. General
3.2. Evaluator Competence
3.3. Fields of Evaluation
3.4. Audit Frequency
3.5. Duration of Audits
3.6. Internal Audit
3.7. Reporting
3.8. Certification Process
3.9. Certification Duration
3.10. Availability of Standards
3.11. Contractual Arrangements with Retailers

4. BRC Procedures
4.1. General
4.2. Referrals
4.3. Communication

5. Certification Bodies Requirements

5.1. Registration with the Accreditation Body
5.2. Registration with BRC
5.3. Accreditation Status
5.4. Training
5.5. Expert Witness
5.6. Referral Process
5.7. Documentation Control
5.8. Liability
5.9. Membership of Associate Bodies
5.10. Communication Process

6. Accreditation Bodies Relationships

6.1. Acknowledgement with UKAS
6.2. Relationship with UKAS

7. Appendices
7.1 BRC Registration Form for Certification Bodies
7.2 BRC Technical Standards Referral Process
7.3 BRC Referral Registration Form
7.4 BRC Technical Standard Sample Certificate
7.5 BRC Food Technical Standard Requirements
7.6 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Requirements

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 1. Introduction

1.1 History

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is the trade association that represents 90% of
the retail trade in the UK. Its members operate a variety of outlets from large
multiples and department stores through to corner shops. The BRC is directly
involved in a number of important issues affecting retailing and the consumer,
including product safety, all forms of legislation, e-commerce, the environment and
retail crime. The BRC lobbies opinion formers in the UK and the EU, on these and
many other issues.

The British Retail Consortium has actively been involved with the development and
implementation of Technical Standards since 1996. Standards currently available
are;
The BRC Technical Standard and Protocol for Companies Supplying Retailer
Branded Food Products Issue 3 (BRC Food Technical Standard)
The BRC/IOP Technical Standard and Protocol for Companies Manufacturing
and Supplying Food Packaging Materials for Retailer Branded Products
(BRC/IOP Packaging Standard)
The BRC/FDF Technical Standard for the Supply of Identity Preserved Non-
Genetically Modified Food Ingredients and Product (BRC/FDF IP Standard)

The development of such Standards was initially driven by the need to meet
legislative requirements, but were quickly seen as having significant benefits to the
suppliers of product to the UK Retailers, and as a consequence there has been
considerable interest internationally as these Standards have been implemented.

Work on the first BRC Technical Standard, the Technical Standard and Protocol for
Companies Supplying Retailer Branded Food Products began in 1996, which
culminated in the publication of the first issue of a BRC Standard in October 1998.
For the first time UK Retailers, working within a highly competitive market place, had
realised that food safety is a non-competitive issue and that by sharing experience
and developing robust systems together, there were distinct advantages legally,
technically and commercially.

Following the success of the BRC Food Technical Standard there has been continued
co-operation between UK Trade Bodies, with the encouragement of the UK
Government, to develop an approach to a number of issues such as the Genetically
Modified Food Ingredients and control parameters within the Food Packaging
Industry.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

1.2 Quality

The UK Retail Industry is unique in that retailer branded products represent a very
high level of sales, which is increasing year on year, e.g. retailer branded product
represent over 38% of sales in the food grocery market.

In many sectors notably food the retail branded products are market leaders and
therefore protection and integrity of their ‘brand’ is business critical to the majority
of UK Retailers.

It is also important to understand that within the UK market the vast majority of
retailer branded products have been developed as ‘high quality’ and not as ‘second
quality’ competing on price with branded products. The UK retail market is extremely
competitive and consumer expectations are high and demanding.

Over 60% of all grocery sales in the UK are held by the largest five food retailers and
these companies compete aggressively on quality, price and innovation. As a
consequence the UK sources imports high volumes of products and ingredients from
overseas companies to meet this consumer demand for innovation and to compete
commercially. The consumer has the right therefore to expect that standards within
companies supplying these products and ingredients are comparable to that found in
the UK and there should be no compromise on safety or quality.

Product quality is seen as a competitive issue and as such is monitored and

maintained by the UK Retailers themselves, however with the development of BRC
Technical Standards, the Quality Management Systems and other specific
requirements for companies supplying the UK Retailers are clearly defined.
Competent auditing of supplier’s systems and procedures is a means by which to
measure of commitment of those companies wishing to supply this demanding
market.

The Certification Bodies who wish to gain accreditation to audit against the
BRC Technical Standards must fully understand their responsibility and role
to provide assurances that required Standards are monitored and
maintained.

1.3 Legislative Requirements

The UK is one of the very few countries which has a statutory ‘due diligence’
defence requirement within its legislative framework. This effectively means that a
retailer cannot accept and rely on a ‘warranty’ defence, if legal proceedings were
presented.

The due diligence defence is a general defence of “all reasonable precautions and all
due diligence” against principal offences in the relevant UK Statutes and can be
defined as:

“…it shall…be a defence for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable
precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence by
himself or by a person under his control.”

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

With respect to Food Safety, Industry agreed guidelines, endorsed by UK
Government lay down guidance for any organisation within the UK wishing to use the
due diligence defence.

The relationship that existed between the individual retailer and it’s suppliers was
recognised by those involved with the development of guidelines, and the
considerable influence of the retailer over recipe formulation/design, standards
existing within the production environment and control systems was reflected by the
content of guidelines. The responsibility for the safety and legality of product was
now shared between the supplier and the retailer, with emphasis for the retailer
being placed on five main areas of control, namely:

1) to ensure the presence of a detailed specification, which is not unlawful or

inconsistent with any compositional standards or good manufacturing practice
2) to ensure that they satisfy themselves that a supplier is competent to produce
the specified product and complies with legal requirements and operates
systems of production control in accordance with good manufacturing or
agricultural practice
3) from time to time, make visits, where practical to verify the competence of
the supplier or receive the result of any other audit of the suppliers system
for that purpose
4) establish a risk assessed programme for product examination, testing or
analysis
5) to monitor and act upon customer complaints

The BRC Technical Standards have been developed to ensure that these
requirements are met and monitored.

Supplier auditing against these Standards forms an integral part of a

Retailer’s legal conformance systems and it is therefore essential that
Certification Bodies are aware of their responsibilities and their critical role
within this legal framework.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

2 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to ensure that the Certification Bodies and
Accreditation Bodies are fully aware of;
• the importance of the BRC Technical Standards to the UK Retailer and their
suppliers
• their responsibility with respect to legal liability
• the procedures supporting the BRC Technical Standards
• the communication network to ensure a consistent and harmonised approach

The document will be regularly reviewed and amended where appropriate.

The following diagram illustrates the mechanism by which BRC wishes to interact and
communicate with both Certification Bodies and Accreditation Bodies.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 BRC Standard Model IAF

Maintains
Accreditation
Standards

UKAS
National Accreditation Mutual
Service Suppo
rt

National Accreditation
Service

tion
l Informa
& Referra
ent Doc
equirem
a l Su pport- R
Mutu
BRC
UK Standard Other Country
Owner
Mutu
al Su
ppor
t-Req
uirem
ent D
oc &
R eferr
al Info
rmati
on

Certification Bodies Mutual Support- Food Technical Co-operation Group Certification Bodies

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

3. BRC Technical Standard- Scheme Requirements

3.1 General

The objective of the BRC Technical Standards is to specify safety and quality criteria
required to be in place within a manufacturers organisation to supply product to UK
Retailers. The format and content of each Standard is designed to allow an
assessment of the supplier’s premises and operational systems and procedures by a
competent third party against the requirements of each individual Standard.

BRC recognise the importance of accreditation and during the development of all the
Technical Standards has worked closely with the United Kingdom Accreditation
Service (UKAS) to ensure the all requirements of product certification are met.
Third party bodies carrying out assessments must gain accreditation to EN45011
(ISO/IEC Guide 65) and meet the requirements within the relevant Standard’s
protocols.

Significant efforts have been made to promote openness and transparency in the
development and implementation process and to work closely with all stakeholders to
ensure the integrity and robustness of the system.

It is of the utmost importance that those involved with certification and accreditation
are included with the continued development and implementation of BRC Technical
Standards and this document will assist with the understanding of the aims of the
BRC Technical Standards and their significance.

This section of document has been drafted to emphasise key specific requirements of
BRC Technical Standards and assist Certification and Accreditation Bodies. It is
important to understand that these requirements may differ between individual BRC
Technical Standards where factors such as Industry sector practice, product risk and
case law have dictated the requirement.

3.2 Evaluator Competence

Each evaluator undertaking certification evaluations must have the appropriate

qualification, training, experience and skills to perform an audit against the relevant
BRC Technical Standard.

The qualification, training and experience will differ relevant to the product and
technology covered by the scope of the individual BRC Technical Standards, however
the auditing skills will not differ and shall be monitored to maintain a high standard.

The specific evaluator competences can be found within Appendices of this

document.

The Certification Body will hold a detailed and complete skills matrix for all
evaluators undertaking their evaluations.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

3.3 Fields of Evaluation

Individual BRC Technical Standards may have specific defined sector groups within
the overall product class determined by factors such as technology, risk or raw
material source.

Certification Bodies shall only work within the specific fields of expertise relating to
these product categorisations. They must demonstrate that their staff have the
knowledge and expertise to work within these fields. Certification Bodies must
demonstrate appropriate training for evaluators has been undertaken before
assigning them to any additional fields of evaluation for which they do not have the
relevant product knowledge.

The specific fields of evaluation can be found within Appendices of this document.

The importance of fields of evaluation and evaluator competence cannot be

over emphasised. With respect to the UK Retailer these are critical criteria,
which will be essential to support a legal due diligence defence.

3.4 Audit Frequency

Audit frequency is governed by product risk and supplier competence and may differ
within and between BRC Technical Standards.

It is the responsibility of the supplier to maintain valid certification.

It is the responsibility of the Certification Body to maintain an active

surveillance programme.

3.5 Duration of Audits

The duration of audit is dependant on a number of factors, which are specified within
the appropriate Standards.

BRC would encourage the accurate assessment of duration of audit by Certification

Bodies. Certification Bodies must also ensure the audit is carried out within a
‘reasonable and realistic’ time period without excessive constraints on the evaluator
or auditee.

The Certification Body shall be mindful that the audit format is one of systems review
and physical inspection of the site and manufacturing process. Time allocation during
the audit shall be such to provide sufficient and proportionate time for each process
to be carried out in full, and where appropriate, additional time given when the
evaluator is required to carry out further investigation.

Where a Certification Body undertakes an audit and they are accredited to carry out
evaluation against similar Standards i.e. ISO 9000 and HACCP, then where clauses of
the Standards are equivalent, there is no requirement to duplicate evaluation of
these clauses.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

3.6 Internal Audit

Certification Bodies shall have an internal audit programme for on-site assessments
and this programme will be designed to ensure that every year it shall include at
least one assessment of every field, type and range for which the Body is accredited.

At the same time, the programme shall ensure that each evaluator is assessed on-
site at least once in a four year period for each field, type and range for which
he/she is considered to be competent.

3.7 Reporting

The Certification Body will provide a full report of the outcome of the evaluation. The
report shall follow the format prescribed within the Appendices of this document and
shall include details of the evaluation visit along with timescales for corrective action
agreed with the auditee at the closing visit.

The report shall be produced as soon as practicable after the evaluation visit to the
supplier normally within 28 days.

The report shall be in presented in English.

3.8 Certification Process

The certification process for each individual Standard is documented within the
respective protocols.

The principles of the ‘foundation’ and ‘higher’ level certification shall be followed as
defined within the respective Standard.

Initial certification (to a first time auditee) will not be awarded where any non-
conformance remain outstanding. The definition of nonconformity is described in
EA6/01 (EA Guidelines on the Application of EN45011);
‘Deviation of product from specified requirements, or (if the product certification
system includes assessment of the supplier’s management system) the absence of,
or failure to implement and maintain, one or more required management system
elements, or a situation which would, on the basis of available objective evidence
raise significant doubt as to the conformity of what the supplier is supplying.’

The Certification Body must be mindful of this definition in relation to assigning the
critical, major and minor status of an observation at the time of the evaluation.

On going certification following a surveillance evaluation maybe maintained where

there is substantive and demonstrable evidence that the auditee remains in
compliance with the criteria of the Standard in question. Any non-conformance raised
must be verified as completed, with objective evidence within timescales defined
within the relevant Standard.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

When timescales and/or verification are not completed, suspension and/or
withdrawal of certification shall be implemented.

3.9 Certification Duration

The duration of the issued certificate will be specified within each BRC Technical
Standard or within documents issued to support these Standards and may vary
between the individual BRC Technical Standards, Appendix 7.4 (BRC Technical
Standard Certificate Content)

3.10 Availability of Standards

The auditee shall have available at the evaluation site the correct version of the
relevant Standard against which they are being evaluated.

BRC would point out that under no circumstances shall any copies of the BRC
Technical Standards be made without the permission of BRC. Certification Bodies
shall be aware of issue of infringement of copyright.

3.11 Contractual Arrangements with Retailers

A contract may be required between the Certification Body and the Retailer. The
issue of this contract shall be at the discretion of the individual Retailer.

Notwithstanding the possible contractual requirements between the Certification

Body and the Retailer, BRC would strongly encourage direct contact between
Certification Body representatives and the Retailer, particularly during the period
when the organisation is seeking accreditation. This is particularly important to
establish communication and allow the Retailer to gain knowledge of the Certification
Body activities.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 4. BRC Procedures

4.1 General

BRC has recognised that to ensure the continued integrity of Standards it was
imperative to develop a structured approach to their development, implementation
and maintenance by establishing Technical Committees with defined responsibilities
and terms of reference

The management control of the BRC Technical Standards rests with a Governance
and Strategy Committee who oversee individual Technical Advisory Committees for
each Technical Standard.

The Governance and Strategy Committee membership is drawn from Senior

Technical representatives of BRC member companies.

The individual Technical Advisory Committees membership is drawn from stakeholder

groups who represent BRC members, Certification Bodies, Suppliers, UKAS and
where appropriate industry experts. The Technical Advisory Committees manage the
continued operational issues in relation to Standards.

Each committee has its own Terms of Reference under which they conduct business.

These Terms of Reference will include Certification Body performance

review and where necessary, the Technical Advisory Committee will draw to
the attention of the Certification Body and their Accreditation Body any
matters requiring investigation or action.

4.2 Referrals

To ensure that any interpretation issues, enquiries, disputes are resolved effectively
and efficiently, BRC has implemented a formal referral process which will be available
to those organisation actively involved with the BRC Technical Standards; this will
include accredited Certification Bodies.

A schematic diagram describing the BRC Technical Standards referral process is

provided in Appendix 7.2 (BRC Technical Standards Referral Process).

In addition to the on going referral process Certification Bodies shall be invited to

attend an annual review of the individual Standards.

4.3 Communication

BRC actively encourages communication between interested parties to ensure issues

are resolved where necessary and to receive reports on performance.

Upon registration with BRC by Certification Bodies, an e mail address for referrals will
be issued to them allowing effective communication to be maintained.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

The BRC shall maintain a data base for its membership in relation to the status of
Certification Bodies and shall make its members aware of change in status.

Where information is provided in hard copy all correspondence should be addressed

to;

Head of Technical Services

British Retail Consortium
2nd Floor
21 Dartmouth Street
London
SW1 9BP

Telephone: +44 (0) 2078548900

Fax: +44 (0) 2078548901

BRC have developed a section of their web site specifically for those wishing to find
out more about Technical Standards or make enquiry.
The BRC web site address is;
www.brc.org.uk

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

5. Certification Bodies Requirements

5.1 Registration with Accreditation Body

The Certification Body prior to notifying BRC of its intention to gain accreditation to
EN45011 (ISO/IEC Guide 65) for the appropriate BRC Technical Standard must apply
for accreditation to a national Accreditation Service; this would normally be expected
to be their ‘home’ Accreditation Body, and that this Body be a member of EA
( European Co-operation for Accreditation) or IAF (International Accreditation
Forum)

5.2 Registration with BRC

If a Certification Body wishes to include any BRC Standard under their scope of
accreditation to EN45011 (ISO/IEC Guide 65), they must formally write to the BRC
confirming their intention. This shall information will be presented to BRC in the
format specified in Appendix 7.1 (Registration Form for Certification Bodies).

BRC will in turn inform UKAS of each registration received.

5.3 Accreditation Status

The Certification Body shall inform BRC when they have gained accreditation. A copy
of the accreditation certificate shall be provided to the BRC.

The Certification Body shall make BRC aware when the national Accreditation Body
has carried out surveillance upon their organisation and the result of this surveillance
shall be made known along with any change of accreditation status.

5.4 Training

It is recommended that the Certification Body should undertake training under the
guidance of BRC; this will be in the form of formal training courses. This is seen as
being particularly important in the case of non UK Certification Bodies where there
may be a lack of understanding of legal issues and procedures associated with the
effective maintenance of the BRC Technical Standard’s requirements e.g. the due
diligence defence.

On completion of the BRC Third Party Auditor Training course, individual evaluators
can use the BRC Quality Mark, which incorporates a unique reference number, on the
certificate issued by the accredited Certification Body. However BRC would stress
that in all cases before carrying out any BRC audit, the evaluator must meet all the
competences specified within the Appendices of this document.

The Certification Body would be expected to ensure a level of understanding exists

with its organisation at all times and in the event of key individuals leaving the
company, there would be a requirement to ensure appropriate retraining is
undertaken for new personnel.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

5.5 Expert Witness

In the event of legal challenge the Certification Body may be required to act as an
expert witness.

Where requested the Certification Body shall undertake to provide any BRC member
with the necessary information in relation to audits carried out against the individual
BRC Standard. The permission of the client to release this information must be
obtained

5.6 Referral Process

Once registered with BRC, the Certification Body shall become involved with the
referral process. As such the Certification Body will from time to time receive
information from BRC about the Standards.

Conversely the Certification Body shall be expected to refer any significant issues,
observations or comment about the Standards back to the BRC for investigation and
resolution.

To ensure effective lines of communication are in place the Certification Body shall be
required to complete a BRC Referral Registration Form (Appendix 7.3 BRC Referral
Registration Form)

5.7 Documentation Control

All records and documentation related to BRC Technical Standards evaluations must
be retained by the Certification Body and available to therefore available to BRC for a
minimum of five years. This will also include all personnel and training records.

Such documents shall be made available to BRC, or its members, upon request.

All documents submitted to BRC members shall be in English, this includes the
Evaluation Report and Certificate. Any documents, i.e. audit notes shall be provided
upon request and translation made by BRC or its members.

5.8 Liability

The Certification Body shall ensure that appropriate liability insurance is in place.
This insurance shall incorporate employer’s liability, public and product liability and
professional indemnity.

5.9 Membership of Associate Bodies

The BRC would actively encourage Certification Bodies to become members of

associate bodies, which have direct links with BRC Technical Advisory Committees,
e.g. the Food Technical Co-operation Group.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

5.10 Communication Process

BRC Technical Standard

Communication Process
Action/Responsiblity Document Reference

Cert Body Application for accrediitation to

EN45011(ISO Giude 65)

Cert Body BRC Registration Form for Cert

Registration with BRC
Bodies (appendix 7.1)

Requirements for Organisations Offering

Provision of Documentation to Cert Certification Against the Criteria of the
BRC Body and Accreditation Body BRC Technical Standards

BRC Confirmation of registration to UKAS BRC Registration Form for

and inclusion on database Cert Bodies (appendix 7.1)
& BRC Cert Body Database

Completion of Referral Registration BRC Referral Registration Form

Cert Body Form (appendix 7.3)

BRC/UKAS/Cert Body/ Referral System

e mail
Accreditation Body (Continued use)

Accreditation Body Accrediation to EN45011(ISO 65) Certificate

Cert Body Confirmation of Accreditation to BRC Certificate

Confirmation of Accreditation to UKAS e mail, certificate & BRC

BRC and inclusion on database Cert Body Database

BRC/Cert Bodies/UKAS Attendance at Annual Review Invitation

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 6. Accreditation Body Relationships

6.1 Acknowledgement with UKAS

Where an application by the Certification Body to a national Accreditation Body has

been made and made known to BRC in the form of registration, BRC will provide this
information to UKAS. As part of registration the contact name of the person within
the national Accreditation Body dealing with the Certification Bodies application shall
be provided.

Although formal channel of communications currently exist between Accreditation

Bodies in the form of bi-lateral and multilateral agreements, BRC would wish to
ensure that these are enhanced by supplementary information in relation to BRC
Technical Standards.

6.2 Relationship with UKAS

Any registered Certification Body shall but channel its referrals and enquiries to BRC.

The BRC may wish to discuss or consult with its ‘home’ Accreditation Body (UKAS) to
resolve issues and will encourage dialogue between the national Accreditation Bodies
and UKAS.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 7. Appendices

7.1 BRC Registration Form for Certification Bodies

7.2 BRC Technical Standards Referral Process
7.3 BRC Referral Registration Form
7.4 BRC Technical Standard Sample Certificate
7.5 BRC Food Technical Standard Requirements
7.6 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Requirements

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.1 BRC Registration Form for Certification Bodies

Name of Organisation

Address of Organisation

Telephone Fax
Name of Contact
Position of Contact
Telephone of Contact E mail Address
Scope of Application

Date of Application
Fields of Evaluation

Accreditation Body
Address

Telephone Fax
Name of Contact
Position of Contact
Telephone of Contact E mail address
Date of Registration to BRC

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.2 BRC Technical Standards Referral Process

Accreditation
Trade Bodies BRC Members Certification Bodies Licensees
Bodies

BRC Referral
E mail
Address
Referrals@brc.org.uk

Reference Referral

Investigate
(Optional)

Refer to Working
Group Members

Discussion
Amend Standard

Agreement

Amend Training
Communication

Accreditation
Trade Bodies BRC Members Certification Bodies Licensees
Bodies

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 Appendix 7.3 BRC Referral Registration Form

Name of BRC Standard:

Name of Organisation:

Address of Organisation:

Telephone no: Web site address:

Accredited Scope For BRC Standards (Certification Bodies only):

Name of Nominated Representative:

Telephone no: E mail address:

Name of Deputy Nominee:

Telephone no: E mail address:

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 Appendix 7.4 BRC Technical Standard Certificate Content

The certificate shall contain;

• Certification Body name and address (and Accreditation Body Registration

Number, where applicable)
• Name and address of the supplier of products under certification
• Product Standard
• Scope of Certification ( including range of processes and products covered)
• Date of Evaluation
• Certificate Issue Date
• Re-evaluation Due Date
• Authorising signature

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.5 The BRC Food Technical Standard Requirements

Appendix 7.5.1 BRC Food Technical Standard Fields of Evaluation

Six broad areas of evaluation have been identified. Food Processing has been
categorised into six fields, as listed below. Organisations applying for accreditation or
extensions of scope should use these fields in their applications:
Food Processing

• Raw Meat & Fish

Red Meat, Slaughter & cutting
Poultry Meat, Slaughter & cutting
Fish, Chilled and frozen
Raw meat products and preparations
Raw fish products and preparations
• Produce (Fruit & Vegetables)
Fresh & frozen
• Dairy
Chilled and frozen
Egg
• Ready to eat or heat (chilled & frozen), including cooked meat/cooked fish
products
• Ambient stable, heat preserved, hermetically sealed packs
• Ambient Stable Foods (Other)
Beverages
Bakery products – ambient
Dried foods
Confectionery
Snacks and breakfast cereals
Oils & fats
Food ingredients

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.5.2 BRC Food Technical Standard Evaluator Competence

Evaluator Competence- Qualifications, training and experience

Entry level

Qualifications

The evaluator shall have a minimum of HNC (Higher National Certificate) or

equivalent in a food or bioscience related discipline. (This would include formal EHO
qualifications). Where equivalence of qualification is unclear this shall be referred to
the BRC for review.

Training

The evaluator shall have successfully completed an QMS lead assessor course, or the
BRC Third Party Auditor Training Course and have undergone a supervised period of
training in practical assessment. He or she shall also have successfully completed a
training course in HACCP based on the principles from Codex Alimentarius, and be
able to demonstrate competence in the understanding and application of HACCP
principles.

It is essential that training courses are recognised by the industry (and its
stakeholders) as being appropriate and relevant. For example, approval or
certification by an independent body with the relevant expertise can provide some
assurance that a course meets specified criteria.

BRC would encourage Certification Bodies not based in the UK, to ask their auditors
to attend the BRC Third Party Auditor Training Course.

Experience

The evaluator shall have a minimum of five years post-graduate experience related
to the food industry. This shall involve work in Quality Assurance or food safety
functions within manufacture, retailing, inspection or enforcement.

Training and Experience for specific fields of evaluation and ranges

Certification bodies shall be able to demonstrate that every evaluator has

appropriate training and experience for the particular fields, types and ranges for
which they are considered competent. Evaluator competence shall be recorded at
least at the level of each field of evaluation and its first sub-division as indicated in
the Protocol.

It is difficult to be prescriptive as to the specific training required in the absence of

nationally recognized training modules. Necessary training and experience must be
judged on the ‘risk’ and the particular technical demands of the field.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.5.3 BRC Food Technical Standard Report Format

BRC Technical Standard for

Companies Supplying Retailer Branded Food Products

Evaluation Report

Evaluation Details
Evaluator: Evaluation Date: Date of Previous
Evaluation:
Company Name:

Address:

Postcode: Country:

Tel. No. Fax. No.

Scope of Evaluation

Key Personnel
Name/Job Title Present at Evaluation (a)

Opening Site Procedure Closing

Meeting Inspection Review Meeting

Product Rating: Evaluation Frequency:

Company Profile

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 EVALUATION SUMMARY
Overview of Performance against the Standard

Company: Location: Date of Evaluation:

Section of Standard
HACCP System:

Quality Management System:

Factory Environment Standards:

Product Control:

Process Control:

Personnel:

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 EVALUATION SUMMARY
Non-Conformity Summary Sheet

Company: Location: Date of Evaluation:

Standard Clause No. Detail of Non- Corrective Action

Conformity Timescale
Critical

Major

Minor

Recommendation

Evaluator’s Signature: Date:

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.6 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Requirements

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Institute of Packaging (IOP) worked
closely together to develop and implement the Technical Standard and Protocol for
Companies Manufacturing and Supplying Food Packaging Materials for Retailer
Branded Products. The sections of this appendix specify concise requirements in
relation to this Standard.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.6.1 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Fields of Evaluation

Five broad areas of evaluation have been identified.

Organisations applying for accreditation or extensions of scope should use these
fields in their applications:

No Packaging Field Typical packaging components/

materials
1 Glass Glass bottles, jars and decanters
Ceramic bottles, jars and decanters

2 Paper Paper bags

Paper sacks
Paper labels, tags and neck collars
Board cartons

Board sleeves
Chipboard cartons and layer pads
Corrugated cases and trays
Corrugated fitments
3 Metals Cans
Aerosol containers
Tubes
Closures
Aluminium foil

Foil trays
4 Plastics Bottles and jars
Caps
Thermoformed trays
Tubs and pots
Adhesives
Buckets and pails
Bulk containers
Plastic film, including vacuum
metallised films, and labels

Multi-ply laminates of combinations of

paper, plastics, aluminium foil
Flexible intermediate bulk containers
5 Wood Pallets
Boxes and crates
Decorative boxes

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.6.2 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Evaluator Competence

1. Qualifications
Evaluators will be drawn generally from two distinct disciplines. Those with expertise
and a qualification in Food/Hygiene Technology and those with expertise and a
qualification in Packaging Technology. Qualification requirements will take account of
this, expecting evaluators to offer their major qualifications as either a Food/Hygiene
Technology or a Packaging Technology qualification. This main qualification will be
supported by a minimum secondary qualification in the other disciplines as
appropriate. Where equivalence of qualification is unclear this shall be referred to the
BRC for review

Evaluators' qualifications must be formally recognised by an appropriate third party

organisation such as a university for degree qualifications or the relevant national
body for other qualifications, such as, in the UK, the Qualifications and Curriculum
Authority (QCA).

2. Evaluators Main & Secondary Qualifications

Main Discipline Minimum Acceptable Required Secondary

Primary Qualification
Food Science/Technology
Hygiene Science/Technology
Environmental Health
Packaging Science
Packaging Technology
Qualification Qualification
HND in Food Science, Hygiene A qualification in Packaging
or Environmental Health Technology for Evaluators
(EQIPT qualification)*
Diploma in Packaging A Certificate in Food Hygiene
Technology Management

* Evaluators Qualification in Packaging Technology (EQIPT) is an Institute of

Packaging postgraduate qualification recognized by the Council of the IOP

3. Training
The Evaluator shall have successfully completed an 1S09000 Lead Assessor Course
and have undergone a period of supervised training in practical assessment. He or
she will also have studied, as part of the core curriculum or part of a training course,
Hazard Analysis based on the principles of Codex Alimentarius and be able to
demonstrate competence in the understanding and application of hazard analysis
principles.

4. Experience
The Evaluator shall have a minimum of five years post-qualification experience in his
or her main qualification discipline. This shall involve work in quality assurance,
manufacturing, auditing, inspection or enforcement.

Certification bodies shall be able to demonstrate that every Evaluator has

appropriate training and experience for the particular fields of packaging materials,
processes and foodstuffs for which they are considered competent.

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

Appendix 7.6.3 BRC/IOP Technical Standard Report Format

BRC/ IOP Technical Standard for

Companies Supplying Food Packaging Materials for Retailer Branded
Products
Evaluation Report
EVALUATION DETAILS
Evaluator: Evaluation Date: Date of Previous
Evaluation:
Company Name:

Address:

Postcode: Country:

Tel. No. Fax. No.

Scope of Evaluation

Exemptions:

Key Personnel
Name/Job Title Present at Evaluation (a)

Opening Site Procedure Closing

Meeting Inspection Review Meeting

Packaging Field: Evaluation Frequency:

Product Risk Category A [ ] B [ ] Next Evaluation Date:

Company Profile

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 EVALUATION SUMMARY
Overview of Performance against the Standard

Company: Location: Date of Evaluation:

Section of Standard
Organisation & Management:

Hazard &Risk Management:

Technical Management System:

Factory Standards:

Contamination Control:

Personnel:

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002

 NON-CONFORMITY SUMMARY SHEET

Company: Location: Date of Evaluation:

Standard Clause No. Detail of Non- Corrective Action

Conformity Timescale
Critical

Major

Minor

Recommendation

Evaluator’s Signature: Date:

Date of Issue: 22nd December 2002