The BRC standard was developed by the British Retail Confederation and is aimed at food suppliers who manufacture private label products on behalf of Super Markets mainly in England.
It was first published in 1998 and since then several updates followed based on the evolution of food safety requirements. Today we are in the seventh version of the standard.
It concerns food companies and does not cover the commercial activity, imports of products, distribution and/or storage when carried out by third parties. The BRC requires companies to comply with relevant food laws. The certified companies, in addition to enhancing customer reliability, enjoy accepting the retailer’s association (ticket to trade). In addition, they achieve the reduction of their customers” inspections since the latter have access to all data of the inspection by the certification body.
The IFS (International Food Standard) is a private food safety and quality certification standard, managed by IFS Management GmbH and developed by the Associations of German Retail (HDE) and the corresponding French (FCD), while the Italian Associations (CONAD, COOP) participated.
IFS Food can be applied by businesses that process food, or package bulk food products. IFS Food is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
The GlobalG.A.P. is a private law body that voluntarily sets standards for certification of agricultural products around the world in accordance with the rules of good agricultural practice.
The Standard for Integrated Farm Assurance GLOBALG.A.P. is primarily designed to reassure consumers about how food is produced on the farm by minimising the harmful environmental impact of agricultural work, reducing the use of chemical inputs and ensuring a responsible approach to worker health and animal welfare.
The GLOBALG.A.P. used as a user manual for good agricultural practice (G.A.P.) anywhere in the world. It is based on an equal relationship between producers and retailers who wish to establish effective standards and certification procedures.
The GLOBALG.A.P. RISK ASSESSMENT ON SOCIAL PRACTICE (GRASP is a voluntary additional module developed for the assessment of social practices in agricultural exploitation, taking into account specific aspects of health, safety and proper treatment of workers.
