Does the Packaging Standard apply to non-food?

Absolutely. It covers packaging for food and non-food sectors such as cosmetics and household, with the scope refined in Issue 7.

BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard (Issue 7)

Q: Is BRC the same as BRCGS?

Yes—BRC rebranded to BRCGS. The Packaging Materials Standard remains part of the BRCGS family of GFSI-recognized standards.

Q: Do we need an unannounced audit?

Plan for at least one unannounced audit in a rolling cycle to align with GFSI expectations. Unannounced audits add a '+' to the grade (e.g., AA+).

Q: What grade do retailers expect?

Expectations vary by buyer, but many programs prefer A/AA grades, with AA+ strengthening access to top-tier accounts.

BRC Packaging Standard: What It Is & Why It Matters (2026 Update)

GFSI-recognized assurance for packaging converters and printers—who needs it, what Issue 7 changed, and how to pass with confidence

Compliance is a cost—until you use it to win retailers.

The BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard is a GFSI-recognized certification for packaging manufacturers in food and non-food sectors. The latest Issue 7 applies to audits from 2025, refining scope, culture, and reporting. Below: requirements, grades, documentation, and a practical audit prep flow.

BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard overview with timeline and requirements

What BRCGS Packaging Is (in plain English)

What it proves: Controlled, legal, and quality-assured manufacturing of packaging for food and hygiene-sensitive goods.
Who it applies to: Converters, printers, and stockists who rework or repack.
Why retailers care: One trusted benchmark cuts supplier risk and audit fatigue.

Who Needs It (and who doesn’t)

Required by: Many retailers/brand owners for primary and secondary packaging suppliers.
Typical sectors: Food contact, cosmetics, household, and single-use disposables.
Maybe not needed: Non-contact items with low risk and no buyer mandate (case-by-case).

Why It Matters (retail approval, risk, export)

Access: Shorter onboarding with large retailers and co-packers.
Risk: Fewer recalls/returns via stronger process control and traceability.
Signal: Credible third-party stamp that pairs nicely with ISO 9001/22000 where relevant.

What’s New in Issue 7

Scope clarity: Clearer coverage of single-use disposables and rework/stockist activities.
Culture & reporting: Stronger expectations for quality/safety culture and confidential reporting.
Clause refinements: Updates across senior management, artwork/prepress control, and site standards.

Certification Flow: from gap to certificate

Define scope & sites (processes, products, hygiene categories).
Gap assessment (against Issue 7 clauses).
Implement & train (procedures, records, culture plan).
Internal audits & management review (close internal NCs).
Choose a certification body (announced or unannounced).
Stage/audit → non-conformities → CAPA with evidence.
Certificate issued and listing on the BRCGS Directory.

Grades & Audit Types (AA…D, “+” = unannounced)

Grades: AA (highest), A, B, C, D.
Unannounced (“+”): Earns the “+” suffix (e.g., AA+). Many programs expect at least one unannounced in a rolling cycle.
Surveillance cadence: Based on grade and scheme rules.

Core Requirements (the clause-level pillars)

Senior management commitment & continual improvement.
Hazard & Risk Analysis (HARA) for packaging safety and legality.
QMS & GMP (document control, CAPA, traceability, supplier approval).
Site standards (facility hygiene, foreign-body, pest, utilities).
Product & process control (specs, change control, artwork/prepress control).
Personnel (training, hygiene, competency for roles).

Documents You’ll Be Asked For

Scope statement, org chart, process flow maps.
HARA (hazards, controls, verification) and annual review.
Supplier approval records; raw-material specs (boards, inks, coatings).
Artwork/prepress control (versioning, sign-offs, approved proofs).
Trace & recall test records; internal audits; training matrix; CAPA log.

Common Non-Conformities (with quick fixes)

Artwork control gaps → lock versioning, approval gates, and archive proofs.
Weak CAPA/root cause → use 5-Whys/Fishbone; verify effectiveness.
Supplier verification light → risk-rate suppliers; collect COAs; audit high-risk inputs.
Traceability sluggish → standardize lot codes; run timed recall drills.

Timeline & Cost Drivers

Timeline: 8–16 weeks for prepared sites; longer for new builds or heavy remediation.
Cost levers: number of sites, hygiene category, audit type (unannounced), grade target (AA vs A), training/testing.