What is BRC or BRCGS certification?

BRCGS (formerly BRC — British Retail Consortium Global Standards) is a globally recognised food safety certification scheme, now officially standing for Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards. First published in 1998 by the British Retail Consortium, it was designed to help food businesses comply with UK and EU food safety requirements. Today it is adopted by over 30,000 certified sites in more than 130 countries. BRCGS is benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), meaning it is accepted alongside FSSC 22000 and SQF as an equivalent food safety management system. The current version is Issue 9, effective from February 2023.

Do African fresh produce exporters need BRCGS certification?

It depends on the product type and buyer requirement. For fresh unprocessed produce (raw avocados, fresh beans, cut flowers), GlobalGAP IFA is the primary required certification for EU retail buyers — BRCGS is not typically required at the farm or primary packhouse level. For processed or packed fresh produce (ready-to-eat salads, pre-cut vegetables, value-added packed produce), or for any cooking or processing operations (drying, canning, juicing), BRCGS Food Safety certification is typically required by UK and EU retail buyers. If your target buyers are major UK supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose), BRC/BRCGS is almost always a mandatory supplier requirement.

What is the BRCGS grading scale?

BRCGS audits result in a grade based on the number and severity of non-conformances found. The scale runs from AA (highest, awarded for a passed unannounced audit with zero critical and minimal minor non-conformances) through A, B, C, and D grades, to Uncertified (any critical non-conformance automatically results in uncertified status). A Grade A announced and Grade AA unannounced are the standard targets for EU retail supplier approval. A Grade C or below typically triggers a supplier improvement review by the retail buyer. Certification is valid for 12 months and requires annual renewal.

How much does BRCGS certification cost for an African food business?

BRCGS certification costs for African food processors typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 per audit cycle, depending on facility size, complexity, and whether the audit is announced or unannounced. This includes the certification body's audit fee and certificate issuance. Preparation costs — gap analysis, staff training, system documentation development, facility infrastructure upgrades — can add $2,000 to $15,000 for a first-time certification, depending on the starting compliance level. The BRCGS Standard document itself must be purchased from brcgs.com before the audit begins.

Supplier Verification

What Is BRC/BRCGS Certification — Do African Exporters Need It?

BRCGS is accepted by 70% of the world's top 10 retailers and required by virtually every major UK supermarket. If your target is UK or EU retail, understanding whether and when you need it is not optional.

30,000+Certified sites in
130+ countries

Issue 9Current version
from Feb 2023

GFSIBenchmarked — globally
accepted by major retailers

AA–DGrading scale
from audit performance

Supplier Verification 10 min read Updated March 2026

Ask a Kenyan avocado exporter about certification and they will almost certainly mention GlobalGAP. Ask an Ethiopian coffee exporter and they might mention Rainforest Alliance. But ask a UK supermarket's technical buying team which single certification they require above all others from their processed food and packed produce suppliers, and the answer is almost always BRCGS.

BRCGS — Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards, previously known as BRC — is one of the world's most widely adopted food safety certification schemes. It was the first standard to be benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the world's primary food safety framework alignment body. Today it is accepted by 70% of the world's top 10 retailers and required by brands and manufacturers in over 130 countries.

For African food exporters looking to supply UK supermarkets, EU food manufacturers, or processed food buyers in the Middle East and the US, understanding what BRCGS is, when it applies to your business, and what the certification process involves is increasingly critical. This article gives you the complete picture.

Key Takeaways

BRCGS is a food processing and packing facility certification — it applies to packhouses, food processors, canners, and value-added producers, not to farms or fields (that's GlobalGAP)
BRCGS Issue 9 (effective February 2023) adds a stronger focus on food safety culture and unannounced audits as the preferred audit format
If your target buyers are UK supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, M&S, ASDA), BRCGS certification is effectively mandatory — all major UK retailers specify it
BRCGS is benchmarked by GFSI — alongside FSSC 22000 and SQF, it is accepted as equivalent, so you do not need both BRCGS and FSSC 22000
Audit results in a letter grade from AA to D (plus Uncertified for any critical NC). Grade A announced or AA unannounced is the standard for EU retail acceptance
BRCGS Directory at brcdirectory.com allows buyers to independently verify any site's certification status, grade, and scope
Typical first-time certification cost for an African food processor: $3,500–$20,000 total including preparation, audit, and any facility upgrades required

BRCGS vs GlobalGAP vs FSSC 22000 — Which Do You Need?

The three certifications that come up most frequently in African export food safety conversations cover different parts of the supply chain. Confusion about which applies where is extremely common, particularly among exporters moving from primary commodity supply to value-added production.

Farm and Field Level

GlobalGAP IFA

Applies at farm and primary packhouse level
Covers Good Agricultural Practice
Required by EU retail for fresh unprocessed produce
Does NOT cover food processing operations
Annual announced + unannounced audit
Verify: globalgap.org/supply-chain-portal

Processing and Packing Level

BRCGS Food

Applies at packhouse, processing, manufacturing level
Covers food safety, quality, and operational criteria
Required for processed, packed, or value-added food
Mandatory for UK supermarket suppliers
Annual announced or unannounced audit
Verify: brcdirectory.com

Food Manufacturing Level

FSSC 22000

Applies at food manufacturing and processing level
ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002 sector-specific PRPs
GFSI benchmarked — equal to BRCGS in buyer acceptance
Preferred for large-scale food manufacturers
Annual audit with surveillance checks
Verify: fssc22000.com/certified-organisations

The decision framework is straightforward: if you grow and pack unprocessed fresh produce (avocados, green beans, flowers), your primary requirement is GlobalGAP. If you process, cook, dry, can, or pack food products — or if your buyer is a UK supermarket — your primary requirement is BRCGS or FSSC 22000 (not both — choose one, they are GFSI-equivalent). If you have both a farm and a processing facility, you may need GlobalGAP for the farm and BRCGS for the facility.

The BRCGS Grading Scale

Unannounced audit. Zero critical, very few minors. Highest grade possible.

Announced audit. Zero critical. Few minor NCs. Standard retail acceptance level.

Announced audit. Some major NCs addressed. Accepted by some buyers with improvement plan.

Announced audit. Several major NCs. Most retail buyers will not accept Grade C suppliers.

D / UC

Serious non-conformances or any critical NC. Certificate refused or withdrawn. Cannot supply.

Grade AA — awarded for a passed unannounced audit with outstanding performance — is increasingly the expectation from major UK retailers. An unannounced audit means the certification body arrives without prior notice, assessing your facility in its everyday operational state rather than a prepared inspection-day state. BRCGS data shows unannounced audits have increased by 35% in recent years, reflecting the industry's emphasis on genuine continuous compliance rather than periodic preparation.

What BRCGS Issue 9 Covers — The 9 Core Sections

Section	Content	Key Requirements for African Facilities
1. Senior Management Commitment	Leadership responsibility for food safety culture	Management must demonstrate active engagement with food safety — not just sign policies. Regular food safety meetings with documented actions.
2. Food Safety Plan (HACCP)	Full HACCP hazard analysis and control plan	Risk-based approach required. All Critical Control Points identified, monitored, and documented with corrective actions.
3. Food Safety and Quality Management System	Documentation, internal audits, supplier approval	Full documented QMS required. All suppliers of food ingredients must be approved. Internal audit programme covering all BRCGS requirements.
4. Site Standards	Building, equipment, and premises requirements	Logical production flow to prevent cross-contamination. Adequate drainage, walls, floors. Pest control programme with external contractor.
5. Product Control	Product design, labelling, inspections, MRLs	Label accuracy requirements tightened in Issue 9. Product authenticity (anti-food fraud) programme required.
6. Process Control	Operating parameters, weighing, equipment calibration	All critical process parameters (temperatures, timings) must be documented, monitored, and verified. Equipment calibration records required.
7. Personnel	Hygiene, training, medical screening	All food handlers must have documented hygiene training. No jewellery, nail polish, or loose items on the production floor. Medical screening programme.
8. Subcontracted Processes / Agents / Brokers	Supply chain transparency	Any outsourced processing or packing must be declared and controlled. Trading agents and brokers must be registered and audited.
9. Traded Products (Agents/Brokers Module)	Traceability for traded food	Applies if trading unprocessed product. Requires supplier approval, specification management, and traceability through the supply chain.

The BRCGS Audit Process — Step by Step

Getting BRCGS Certified — The Audit Journey

From gap analysis through certificate issuance — typical timeline 3–6 months for first-time sites

Purchase the BRCGS Standard and conduct gap analysis

Buy Issue 9 from brcgs.com. Conduct a detailed gap analysis of your current food safety systems against every clause. This reveals the work required before an audit. Engaging a BRCGS-experienced consultant for this step is strongly recommended for first-time sites — African consultants with BRCGS experience include teams at SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas.

Implement systems, train staff, upgrade infrastructure

Address the gaps found. This typically involves: developing a full HACCP plan; implementing a QMS with documented procedures; training all food handlers and management; upgrading physical infrastructure (drainage, pest control, hygiene facilities); and establishing an internal audit programme. Timeline: 3–6 months for most African food processors starting from a GlobalGAP-compliant base.

Select a BRCGS-approved certification body and arrange pre-audit

Select a CB approved by BRCGS from the list at brcgs.com. CBs active in East and West Africa with BRCGS capability include SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, and Kiwa. A pre-audit (optional but strongly recommended) by the same CB or a consultant identifies remaining gaps before the formal audit and significantly improves first-audit pass rates.

Formal audit — one to two days on-site

The CB auditor spends 1–2 days on-site covering all BRCGS Issue 9 requirements: opening meeting, site tour and inspection, HACCP and QMS documentation review, staff interviews, closing meeting with non-conformance summary. Issue 9 emphasises food safety culture assessment — auditors will interview staff at all levels to assess whether food safety is genuinely embedded in daily operations.

Non-conformance resolution and certificate issuance

After the audit, the CB issues a formal audit report. Any non-conformances must be resolved within the stated timeframe — typically 28 days for majors, 3 months for minors. Once the CB confirms corrective actions are satisfactory, the certificate is issued, your site is listed in the BRCGS Directory at brcdirectory.com, and buyers can verify your certification independently.

When Do African Exporters Actually Need BRCGS?

The clearest indicator is your target buyer. If your buyer is a UK supermarket — Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, or Lidl UK — BRCGS (or an equivalent GFSI-benchmarked standard) is virtually always a contractual requirement. UK grocery retail was where the BRC standard was created, and it remains the foundation of UK food supply chain compliance.

For EU continental retail (Carrefour, REWE, Albert Heijn, Lidl EU), the requirement varies by retailer and product category. Most large EU retailers either require BRCGS or FSSC 22000 for processed and packed food suppliers. Some accept IFS (International Featured Standards) as an alternative, particularly in France and Germany. Fresh unprocessed produce buyers typically require GlobalGAP at the farm level and are less focused on BRCGS unless value-added processing is involved.

For Middle East and US retail buyers, BRCGS is widely accepted but not always mandatory — FSSC 22000, SQF, and other GFSI-benchmarked standards are equally accepted. However, BRCGS is increasingly requested by UAE and Saudi retail chains whose technical standards are aligned with UK retail.

BRCGS START! — The Pathway for SMEs New to Certification

BRCGS START! is a beginner-level programme designed specifically for small and medium-sized food businesses that are not yet ready for full BRCGS Food Safety certification. It is not GFSI-benchmarked and cannot be presented to buyers as an equivalent to full BRCGS, but it is a structured pathway to bring a facility's food safety systems up to the level required for full certification. For African food processors beginning their export compliance journey, BRCGS START! provides a lower-cost entry point — approximately $500 to $1,500 — that builds the foundation for achieving Grade A certification within 12 to 18 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards, previously the British Retail Consortium Global Standard) is a globally recognised food safety and quality certification scheme first published in 1998. It covers food manufacturing, processing, packing, storage, and distribution operations. Currently in Issue 9 (effective February 2023), it is adopted by over 30,000 certified sites in more than 130 countries, accepted by 70% of the world's top 10 retailers, and benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The scheme focuses on product safety, quality, integrity, legality, and the operational controls required to maintain these standards across food production operations.

It depends on product type and target buyer. For fresh, unprocessed produce (raw avocados, cut flowers, fresh beans), GlobalGAP IFA is the primary certification required by EU retail — BRCGS is not typically required at the farm or primary packing level. For processed, cooked, dried, canned, or ready-to-eat produce — or for any facility where food is cut, washed, packed, or thermally processed — BRCGS is typically required by UK and EU retail buyers. If your target buyers are UK supermarkets, BRCGS certification is effectively mandatory. Verify with your specific target buyer what their requirements are before investing in certification preparation.

BRCGS certifications are graded from AA (highest) to D (lowest passing grade), plus Uncertified for any critical non-conformance. Grade AA is awarded for a passed unannounced audit with outstanding compliance. Grade A is the standard announced audit pass with minimal non-conformances — the baseline for most retail buyer acceptance. Grades B and C indicate increasing numbers of non-conformances and typically trigger supplier improvement plans with buyers. Grade D and Uncertified mean the facility cannot supply retail buyers until performance improves and a re-audit is passed.

Both are GFSI-benchmarked food safety management system certifications and are accepted as equivalent by most global retailers. The primary differences: BRCGS was developed by the British Retail Consortium and has stronger penetration in UK and European retail supply chains, as well as Middle East and US retail. FSSC 22000 is built on ISO 22000 and is often preferred by large food manufacturers with established ISO management systems, as it aligns more naturally with existing ISO frameworks. For African exporters, the key question is which standard your specific target buyers specify — BRCGS if targeting UK retail, either if targeting EU continental retail.

Total first-time BRCGS certification costs for an African food processor typically range from $3,500 to $20,000, covering: the BRCGS Standard document ($200–$400), gap analysis and preparation support from a consultant ($500–$3,000), facility infrastructure upgrades as needed (variable — can be zero to $10,000+), CB audit fee ($1,500–$4,000 depending on facility size), and annual renewal fees thereafter ($1,200–$3,000/year). Facilities that already hold GlobalGAP or a strong HACCP system generally require less preparation work and fall toward the lower end of this range. Contact SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas in East or West Africa for specific quote proposals.

Ready to Start Your BRCGS Journey?

ExportReady.africa covers the full compliance certification landscape for African exporters — from GlobalGAP and organic certification through BRC/BRCGS and FSSC 22000.

More Certification Guides GlobalGAP Guides

The New Standard for Global Exports