GFSI-recognised standards: some advantages and disadvantages

In practice, we regularly hear about the advantages and disadvantages of certifying according to certain GFSI-recognised standards. We have listed some of these advantages and disadvantages for the BRC Food, IFS Food and FSSC 22000 standards. This will help you decide which GFSI certificate is right for you.

BRC Global Standard for Food Safety

• The BRCGS standard sets out very specific requirements. This sometimes leaves less room for interpretation of the requirements. On the other hand, it does provide clear insight into the requirements you must meet.

• Mandatory classification of production and storage areas into risk zones. Specific additional requirements have been defined for high-risk, high-care and ambient high-care areas. This may mean that you have to make mandatory adjustments to the building, processes or routing in order to comply with the requirements. If such adjustments involve high costs, this may be a reason for companies to opt for a different certification standard.

• An unannounced audit must be carried out at least once every three years. This option is preferably intended for recertification assessments, but may also apply to initial assessments if the company prefers to start with an unannounced assessment.

• The audit focuses on “fundamentals”. This means that a number of requirements from the standard are designated as “fundamental” requirements. If the “fundamentals” are not sufficiently met during the audit, this will immediately result in the company not being certified or the certificate being withdrawn.

IFS Food

• Various requirements state that measures must be based on hazard analysis and assessment of associated risks. This leaves room for interpretation and different methods of implementation. On the other hand, the requirements are sometimes considered “vague”, making it less clear what you need to do to fully comply with them.

• An unannounced audit must be carried out at least once every three years. This option is preferably intended for recertification assessments, but may also apply to initial assessments if the company prefers to start with an unannounced assessment.

• During the audit, “knockouts” are used. This means that a number of requirements from the standard are marked as “knockout” requirements. If, during the audit, it appears that a requirement marked as a knockout is not sufficiently met, this will immediately lead to the company not being certified or the certificate being withdrawn. Appendix 6 of the standard sets out the follow-up steps that must be taken in order to proceed with certification. In addition, scoring “major” shortcomings during the audit may result in the company not being certified.

FSSC 22000

• The standard consists of three parts, which can sometimes cause confusion for companies. The parts are:

• Part I – ISO 22000

• Part II – Sector-specific Basic Requirements Programmes

• Part III – Specific FSSC 22000 requirements

• The requirements in the ISO 22000 standard are sometimes seen as “vague”, but they leave room for interpretation and implementation. The basic requirements programmes, on the other hand, are more specific.

• In the years following the initial audit, at least one unannounced audit must be carried out.

• The assessment during the audit differs greatly from the BRCGS and IFS certification and is based on the assignment of “minor”, “major” and “critical” non-conformities. Each type of non-conformity has a different timing and procedure for resolution.

The choice of a GFSI certificate also depends on the geographical location of your product(s). Customers and buyers in France and Germany are more familiar with the IFS standard. If the product or service is mainly supplied to Great Britain, people there are more familiar with the BRCGS standard. FSSC 22000 is now recognised worldwide and has been gaining ground since the introduction of version 6.0. As its creators still say, this standard was written with production in mind.

Seek advice

It is advisable to read up on the subject or seek advice before choosing a GFSI certificate. With a GFSI certificate, such as BRCGS, IFS or FSSC 22000, you can demonstrate that you comply with a GFSI-recognised standard. This shows that you deliver quality. Does your company meet the specific requirements of a standard you wish to follow? If so, your quality system can usually be certified or recognised by a certification body. During an audit, an assessment is made to determine whether your company meets the standard requirements not only in theory but also in practice. Normec Foodcare is at your service to prepare and guide you through this certification process. We guide you from A to Z.

We are happy to help

It is important to carefully consider what suits you best as a producer, packager, trader, grower or service provider. Communicating this to your customer will help you assess and weigh up which standard is best for you. We are happy to help you with this. We also help you set up a quality system that complies with the BRCGS, IFS and FSSC 22000 requirements, support your quality assurance department and guide you through the certification process. Please contact us.

Author: Marlous van Drunen Marketing & Communication