Managing Standards

BRC do not undertake audits themselves but license this task to approved third party Certification Bodies who must be Accredited by a National Accreditation Body to audit against the relevant Standard.

Key aim of the BRC is to ensure integrity and consistency of the BRC Standards certification scheme for all users. This means that an audit should be carried out in the same way irrespective of product type, country of production, Certification Body or auditor. Therefore rules and guidance are laid down for users of the scheme, particularly detailing the responsibilities of the Certification Body and auditors. Certification Bodies are approved by BRC on the basis of demonstrating compliance to requirements and entering the framework agreement governing operation of the certification scheme. Clear rules for auditor competence against each Standard are specified.

The BRC’s Compliance Team has developed performance monitoring assessment tools to help ensure that Certification Bodies carry out BRC audits to the highest possible standard which includes review of audit reports.

BRC has an established complaints procedure to ensure that all issues are investigated and vigorously followed up.