Preparing Facilities for Unannounced BRCGS Audits

BRCGS, sometimes referred to as BRC, stands for British Retail Consortium Global Standards. As the name suggests, it was originally created in the United Kingdom and is now a leading global standard for food safety compliance. Although not necessarily a legal requirement in every U.S. state, many supply chain partners require businesses to hold BRCGS certification, as it serves as a global benchmark in food management environments.

Preparing for an unannounced audit should be treated much like preparation for your initial certification—if you maintain the rigorous standards after your audit passes, this should become part of the everyday.

Understanding BRCGS Audit Requirements

To obtain BRCGS certification, businesses must prepare to comply with the standard (Issue 9), and maintain it consistently. This involves education and adoption at all levels, including senior management, and cannot be implemented overnight with the expectation of immediate change.

Core Components For a BRCGS Checklist

There are nine core components for achieving BRCGS certification (and re-certification). You can use each section to create a checklist to help you prepare for an audit.

Senior Management Commitment

Full senior management buy-in and commitment help to set the example for everyone in the business.

HACCP Food Safety Plan

If your HACCP plan is current, regularly reviewed, and updated after significant operational or process changes, this is strong evidence for your audit trails.

Food Safety and Quality Management System

If you’re looking to get BRCGS certification, it’s a good time to review your current food safety and quality management systems and ensure you have the best setup in place to maintain food safety.

Site Standards

Ensure you have demonstrable evidence of your site’s commitment to safety, cleanliness, and compliance. Some of this will be covered within your HACCP plan, but you may also be required to demonstrate compliance with pest control, chemical safety, and local building regulations.

Product Control

Product control within the context of food safety audits will refer to your documentation and processes around things like:

• Managing and communicating allergen information
• Product and ingredient recall
• Supply chain information
• Traceability

Process Control

Processes such as hazard control and prevention (your HACCP plan) should be documented and available, and followed by all personnel at all times.

Personnel

Ensure all team members are up to date with food safety management training and other relevant certifications, such as HazCom. Check that personnel are using protective clothing and equipment as necessary, and maintaining food safety standards.

High-risk Production Zones

Understand and be able to demonstrate where products must be handled in high-risk production areas. Demonstrate the separate processes and hygiene practices in place for these zones where necessary.

Trade Product Requirements

Referring to food products that are stored within your facility, but not prepared or manufactured on-site:

• Associated risks and hazards should be covered within HACCP plans
• Current product specifications held
• Evidence of testing standards and compliance with legal requirements
• Traceability

The BRCGS website outlines the full standard, interpretation guidelines, and clauses for full guidance on meeting the global standard.

BRCGS Audit Scores

As with local regulatory bodies, the BRCGS has a grading scale for certification, which outlines how well your site complies with the Issue 9 standard. Grading considers whether there are ‘nonconformances’, and classifies them as minor, major, or critical.

Any critical error is considered a breach of conformance and means you cannot be certified.

• AA /AA+: No more than five minor nonconformances
• A/A+: 5-10 minor nonconformances
• B/B+: 11-16 minor nonconformances or one major and up to 10 minor nonconformances
• C/C+: 17-24 minor nonconformances; one major and maximum 16 minor nonconformances; or 2 majors, and no more than 10 minors
• D/D+: 25-30 minor nonconformances; one major and up to 24 minor nonconformances; or 2 majors and up to 16 minors
• Uncertified: One or more critical nonconformances, or 31 or more minor nonconformances, result in audit failure

‘Plus’ grades are awarded for unannounced audits.

Unannounced BRCGS Audits

In accordance with the current Standard, the site must pass an audit every 12 months to maintain BRCGS certification. At least one audit within a three-year period must be an unannounced visit, for which no guidance on time or date is given.

To prepare for an unannounced audit, the concept of audit readiness should be maintained at all times. Rather than looking for documents, completing deep cleans, or correcting gaps only when an audit is scheduled, food safety and quality processes should form part of daily operations.

This means employees should understand their responsibilities, follow documented procedures, and know where to find relevant records. Therefore, continual education and training are key.

A strong approach to unannounced audit readiness includes:

• Completing regular internal audits against the relevant BRCGS Standard clauses
• Reviewing nonconformances promptly and documenting corrective actions
• Keeping food safety, quality, and operational records up to date and readily available
• Providing regular training and refresher sessions for employees
• Maintaining clear communication between site teams and senior management
• Carrying out routine checks of hygiene, pest control, maintenance, and building standards
• Testing traceability and product recall procedures regularly

By embedding these activities into everyday operations, businesses can be better prepared for an unannounced BRCGS audit while also supporting a safer, more consistent food management environment.

How McCloud Helps With the BRCGS Audit Process

As food safety consultancy experts, we can provide an analysis of your site’s compliance with third-party audit standards and local regulatory requirements. Contact the team today to see how we can help.