Ensuring safety and quality is the secret to measuring food quality standards. And so, BRC Certification and SQF Certification have become fundamental requirements for manufacturers who want to stay ahead of the curve.
Certification is not a big deal; understanding the significance of each in ensuring your food safety matters. After all, not all certifications are created equal. If you are also unsure which certification best suits your company’s objectives, this detailed insight help you best.
Let’s examine the differences between SQR and BRC certifications and learn how they contribute to upholding food safety and cleanliness requirements. By the end, you will have the clarity necessary to choose the best course of action for your company.
Understanding Food Safety Certifications
Global certifications such as BRC and SQF certifications are the main forces behind increasing the bar for food safety standards. They are more than just compliance indicators; they are systems designed to ensure food safety, operational efficiency, and customer confidence.
These certificates serve as a guide for all that we do as sanitation professionals. They influence how we oversee sanitation initiatives, uphold hygienic standards, and record procedures to guarantee our facilities satisfy exacting standards.
An overview of the significance of SQF and BRC certifications in the food business is provided here.
SQF Certification and BRC Certification are both GFSI Standards
Internationally recognized food safety management systems, like SQF (Safe Quality Food) and BRC (British Retail Consortium), are designed to reassure consumers about the safety and quality of food items. Both SQF and BRC are benchmarked standards in the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). To obtain certification in either of these food safety standards, one must successfully prepare for and finish a demanding SQF audit or BRC audit.
A manufacturer with either SQF or BRC certifications can advertise its products to any buyer without having to meet a lot of extra food safety requirements because they are both considered GFSI benchmarked standards. Costco is a little unusual because it has its own set of addenda even if their audit complies with GFSI.
With the help of Sanitation Requirement’s cutting-edge food safety software and our team of knowledgeable SQF and BRC consultants, becoming certified as either SQF or BRC is made easier while maintaining appropriate documentation, logs, and HACCP plans.
While SQF certification and BRC certification programs share similar goals, there exist some notable differences between the two.
Origin, Scope, & Certification Standards: Which One Dominates The Industry?
- Origin & Development
While the BRC certification first surfaced in the UK in 1998, the SQF certification was developed in Australia in the early 1990s and has subsequently gained international recognition.
- Scope:
BRC certification mostly serves retailers’ needs by ensuring suppliers meet all strict requirements for the safety of food goods supplied to customers. SQF certification, on the other hand, is more thorough and designed for a larger range of food businesses.
In addition to food manufacturing, it includes primary production, packaging, distribution, and other aspects of the food supply chain.
- Certification:
Critical control points in the system are given a lot of weight by BRC certification, which guarantees that particular risks are adequately addressed. SQF certification, on the other hand, adopts a more rigorous methodology by carefully assessing the complete food safety management system.
To guarantee the general safety and quality of food products, this entails evaluating every procedure and control used during production..
- Requirements:
While SQF includes a wider variety of food safety processes, including steps for food defense and avoiding food fraud, BRC emphasises Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) as a critical component.
- Standards:
Both BRC and SQF seek to guarantee consumers of food quality and safety, but they differ in their origins, scope, certification processes, requirements, and the food safety standards they uphold.
BRC functions under a single standard that covers all business aspects, whereas SQF contains numerous standards that are solely created to satisfy the needs of various food industry sectors.
As part of their compliance strategy within the GFSI certification framework, businesses seeking SQF certification should also take the associated SQF certification costs into account.
Key Features of BRC Certification:
Global Reach: BRC is well-liked in both European and foreign markets.
Comprehensive Standards: They address all facets of food safety, such as processing, storage, and packaging.
Operational Excellence: This accreditation places a strong emphasis on risk management, legal compliance, and reliable quality control.
We have discovered that companies pursuing BRC Certification gain from a well-defined structure that promotes operational enhancement. Following BRC guidelines for sanitation services entails providing flawless cleaning procedures and comprehensive audit documentation.
Key Features of SQF Certification:
Tiered Structure – SQF has two main levels—food safety and food quality—allowing businesses to customize their certification.
HACCP-Based Approach – The program is grounded in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points, ensuring risk identification and mitigation.
Industry Flexibility – SQF applies to a range of food sectors, offering tailored solutions to meet specific needs.
SQF Certification Requirements:
Implementing a thorough food safety strategy, keeping thorough records, and making sure staff members are properly taught in safety procedures are all necessary to meet SQF certification standards.
We’ve witnessed how these specifications improve operational effectiveness and assist companies in avoiding possible hazards.
Costs of SQF Certification
The size of the facility, the range of operations, and the certifying organization all affect the SQF certification cost. The long-term advantages—better compliance, reduced recalls, and improved reputation—far outweigh the initial outlay.
The Difference Between SQF and BRC Certifications
Though both certifications share the goal of ensuring food safety, yet their approaches differ. Understanding the nuances can help enterprises make wise decisions.
We’ve observed that some companies decide to get both certifications in order to increase their credibility across a variety of marketplaces. Others choose the one that best fits their target geographies and operational focus.
Why Both Certifications Matter for Sanitation Providers?
Sanitation plays a key role in maintaining compliance with BRC and SQF standards. As a supplier, we ensure that our cleaning procedures comply with these certifications, assisting companies in fulfilling their needs.
Audit Readiness: We maintain thorough records of all sanitation operations, guaranteeing that the paperwork is always prepared for an audit.
Compliance with Standards: We uphold operational and hygienic standards that meet BRC and SQF requirements by following the frameworks for GFSI Certification.
Operational Efficiency: Our well-planned cleaning.
Choosing the Right Certification for Your Business
The choice between SQF certification and and BRC certification jolts down to the particular requirements and target market of your company. Our experience guiding clients with this decision has taught us the following:
Global vs. Local Reach: BRC’s worldwide renown is quite beneficial if you concentrate on overseas markets. SQF provides great local legitimacy for companies with North American roots.
Operational Objectives: SQF thrives at industry-specific customization, while BRC is best suited for thorough risk management.
Customer Demands – Retailers and distributors often dictate which certification is required, making the decision straightforward.
Elevate Your Food Safety Standards with Us
A reliable sanitation partner is at the heart of every successful food safety program. As a provider, we don’t just meet the standards set by BRC Certification and SQF Certification—we exceed them. Our team is committed to helping businesses maintain pristine environments, ensuring audit readiness, and supporting compliance with SQF standards and GFSI Certification.
At Sanitation Specialists, you not just hire a sanitation service, but gain a team that prioritizes your success, streamlines your operations, and delivers peace of mind. Whether you’re gearing up for an audit or striving to improve your processes, we’re here to help.
Let’s work together to achieve excellence with BRC and SQF certifications.
