Consumer Products

The BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 3

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is pleased to announce the publication of the BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 3. The English language version has now been published, other translations, a North American version and a series of supporting Interpretation and Sector Guidelines such as toys and electricals will be published during 2010. Further information about the Standard and can be found on the BRC Bookshop – www.brcbookshop.com.

The Scope of the Standard (Issue 3)

The Standard sets out the requirements for the production and supply of safe and legal consumer products of consistent quality. The products may be retailer-branded (private label) or branded, or be unbranded products.

The scope of Consumer Products, Issue 3 covers a wide range of non-food products in the global marketplace; including formulated products such as shampoos, paints and cosmetics, fabricated items like televisions and toys, electrical goods, furniture and textiles.
Key features:

• A how to get started section that covers everything you need to know to achieve BRC certification
• Improved categorisation of products into three risk groups
• A new grading system for certificated sites
• Revised frequency of audits
• Inclusion of 'Fundamentals' for the most important issues
• Enhancement of the section on product conformity measures
• Information to help with gaining certification
• Improved layout - product groups shaded differently for clarity
• In partnership with RILA (Retail Industry Leaders Association) Washington USA

Effective Date of Issue 3

Issue 3 of the BRC/RILA Global Standard for Consumer Products has now been published for the UK and North American markets with a Simplified Chinese and German translation imminent. The Interpretation Guidelines which offer detailed guidance on the implementation of the Standard are also available. To provide users with additional guidance and to ensure the highest quality of delivery of the scheme, through well trained auditors and certification companies the BRC is continuing to work with our training partner, Highfields, on the development of a high quality suite of training courses to support the launch of Issue 3 of the BRC/RILA Global Standard for Consumer Products. This will be the most comprehensive range of courses the BRC have produced to support the launch of a Standard, providing detailed information for retailers, producers and auditors, and comprising the following:

• A video (or webinar content) for non-Technical Senior Managers on the features and benefits of the Standard Scheme
• Materials to be used for Road Shows on the Standard to ensure consistent delivery of key components of the Scheme.
• How to Implement the Standard
• Effective auditing skills
• Protocol and report writing for auditors
• Risk assessment techniques.
• Conversion courses for auditors currently auditing to Issue 2A of the Standard

In order to ensure the courses meet our quality expectations, this programme is taking a little longer to develop than we originally anticipated. The Train the Trainer courses, through which this programme will be delivered will now be held in mid- August – final dates to be confirmed. We recognize that this is closer to the effective date of October 1st  for Issue 3 than we originally anticipated.

In order to accommodate those sites approaching recertification before the end of this year, we propose to introduce a transition period of  3 months from October 1st to December 31st 2010. The revised fully effective date for Issue 3 of the Global Standard for Consumer Products– Issue 3 (after which no audits against  Issue 2A can be carried out) will therefore be January 1st 2011.

Certificated sites already in the programme will have the following options

• Progress with certification against Issue 3 from 1st October if ready to do so and auditors are available
• Seek recertification against Issue 2A – up to December 31st
• Defer recertification until the revised effective date for Issue 3 of January 1st 2011.However re-audit visits must occur within 4 months of the current due date

Certificates issued against Issue 2A following audits undertaken during the transition period (1st October to the 31st December) will be valid for the duration of that certificate i.e. 12, 24 or 36 months dependent on category as per the protocol for Issue 2A.

Sites wishing to gain certification for the first time should consult with the BRC or their selected Certification Body to arrange an audit against Issue 3 as soon as auditors are available.

If you have any queries regarding this announcement please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Services Department - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7854 8939 - Email: brcglobalstandards@brc.org.uk

How to order

To learn more about the BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 3 or to order your copies please visit www.brcbookshop.com

Cleck here to download a copy of the 2010 BRC Global Publications Catalogue

The BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 2a

Meeting the requirements of the 'BRC Global Standard - Consumer Products: Issue 2a' ensures best practice standards are developed, implemented and maintained for manufacturers and assembly packers of consumer products.

Manufacturing and assembly packing companies can be certificated against this Standard to demonstrate their competence in maintaining product safety, legality and integrity.

 

The requirements in the Standard are designed to:

• Satisfy the legal requirement to demonstrate compliance with EU General Product Safety Directive 2001 and 'due diligence'
• Focus on the importance of the design and assembly of products in terms of their being 'fit for purpose' and safe for consumers
• Clearly define the requirements of the customer of the supplier
• Ensure consistency of safety, legality, and quality of product to the customer 

New innovations - Issue 2a has been revised as follows:

• The supplier assesses their product risk using the guidelines supplied in the Standard. The product level is then verified by a Certification Body and/or customer. The supplier is evaluated against the requirements for that risk level. This is a unique concept in Standards.
• The Standard has been written to address the requirements in relation to potential of the product to cause harm to the consumer
• The product risk has been categorized into four levels. Levels are based on product risk to the consumer and each has its own unique set of requirements
• Recommendations have been removed completely or incorporated into the requirements
• For ease of use each set of requirements is held in a different chapter in the Standard. This approach makes the certification process easier for both manufacturers and certification bodies. This is the only Standard of its type. 

Issue 2a has been revised as follows. Click here for more information.

The Standard is applicable to the manufacture of a great many consumer products including greetings cards, DIY products (e.g. paints, power tools, nails and hammers), home wares, white goods, and non-prescription pharmaceuticals.

The Chinese Simplified translation of Issue 2a of the Global Standard for Consumer Products has now been published. To order your copies please visit www.brcbookshop.com

Benefits of the BRC Global Standards

• Comprehensive and focused on safety, legality and quality
• Clear and detailed requirements based on risk assessment principles supported by documented systems
• Standardised reporting format providing information on how sites meet the requirements of the Standards
• Closure of all non-conformities identified at an audit with evidence included in the report before certificates can be issued
• Complementary with existing quality management systems e.g. ISO and HACCP where these meet the requirements of the Standard

To download a copy of an interview with Linda Crane BRC Technical Services Manager to learn more about Issue 3 of the Standard click here.

Check out the FAQs for more information. 

Click here to visit the BRC Global Standards Bookshop to order your copies of the Global Standards

Click here to contact the BRC Global Standards Team

Cleck here to download a copy of the 2010 BRC Global Publications Catalogue