At Green Crops we continue to expand our commitment to quality and food safety. Our latest addition is BRC (British Retail Consortium) certification, one of the most demanding and internationally recognised food safety standards. In this article we explain what the BRC standard is, what it guarantees, and why this certification strengthens the trust of those who work with us.
What is the BRC standard?
The BRC standard originated in the United Kingdom, driven by the British Retail Consortium, the association representing the UK’s major retail chains. Its original aim was to set minimum quality and safety requirements that food suppliers had to meet in order to work with major supermarkets. Over time, the standard has expanded well beyond the UK and is now one of the benchmark schemes recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), used by manufacturers and distributors worldwide.
There are several BRC standards depending on the link in the supply chain: BRC Food Safety for food manufacturers, BRC Storage & Distribution for logistics and warehousing, BRC Packaging for packaging, and BRC Consumer Products for non-food products such as cosmetics. In our case, the certification obtained covers the manufacturing and supply of food raw materials.
What does BRC certification guarantee?
Achieving BRC certification involves passing a thorough audit by an accredited body, which assesses aspects such as:
- Management’s commitment to food safety and continuous improvement.
- The implementation of a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system that identifies and controls risks at every stage of the process.
- The proper design and maintenance of production facilities.
- Strict product and process control, including allergen management.
- Ongoing training for staff involved in every handling stage.
- Full traceability, from raw material to finished product.
Unlike other schemes such as IFS, the BRC standard does not work on a scoring system, but on a compliance assessment by chapter, which makes it particularly rigorous when it comes to tracking and resolving non-conformities.
Why this certification matters to our clients
For companies in the food sector, working with BRC-certified suppliers isn’t just a matter of trust: in many markets, particularly English-speaking ones, it’s an essential requirement for selling products. By adding BRC certification to our existing organic certifications, we open the door to new markets and strengthen the guarantees we offer food manufacturers looking for safe, traceable raw materials.
This certification builds on our existing commitment to organic production, which you can read about in detail on our certifications page (COSMOS, USDA Organic and CAAE). The combination of organic certification and food safety certification such as BRC positions Green Crops as a comprehensive supplier for the demanding food industry.
What this means in practice for our oils and proteins
BRC certification directly affects how we manage the production and supply of our range of organic vegetable oils, in both their cold-pressed and refined versions, as well as our vegetable proteins for food use. In every case, holding this standard means documented, audited control at every stage of the process, from receiving raw material through to delivery to the end client.
Another step in our commitment to quality
At Green Crops we understand that trust is built on verifiable facts, not just promises. That’s why we keep investing in certifications that assure our clients — food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers — that they’re working with a supplier committed to the highest standards of quality and safety. If you’d like more information about our BRC certification or how we work with clients in the food sector, feel free to contact our team.