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BRCGS Plant-Based

The global standard for the safe production of plant-based products

BRCGS Plant Based is a global standard for the systematic management of plant-based food products. It allows plant-based food producers and processors to safely meet customer standards whilst complying with regulations.

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What Is BRCGS Plant-Based?

The BRCGS Plant-Based Standard is a set of guidelines to help companies create a strong management system for ensuring the quality and authenticity of plant-based foods.

The standard helps businesses consistently meet customers’ expectations and regulatory requirements for plant-based products. It focuses on making sure products are genuine, managing risks, and continually improving processes.

By adhering to the BRCGS Plant-Based standard, businesses can better ensure their plant-based product claims are accurate, minimise the chances of contamination, and build consumer trust in the authenticity of their products. This standard is useful for any company involved in the production or distribution of plant-based items.

Getting certified in the BRCGS Plant-Based standard shows a company’s dedication to providing authentic products and maintaining consumer trust.

What is BRCGS Plant-Based

Understanding BRCGS Plant-Based

The BRCGS Plant-Based standard is widely recognised as a key guideline for ensuring the quality and authenticity of plant-based products. It helps companies confirm that their plant-based claims are genuine, comply with dietary rules, and follow best practices in managing plant-based products.

Introduced to meet the rising demand for authentic plant-based products, the BRCGS Plant-Based standard focuses on a risk-based approach to ensure that plant-based claims are reliable and verifiable. It integrates seamlessly with other Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) to provide comprehensive controls over plant-based processes.

It also underscores the importance of leadership in embedding plant-based product assurance as a strategic priority throughout the organisation.

Understanding BRCGS Plant Based

Who Needs BRCGS Plant-Based?

The BRCGS Plant-Based standard is useful for any company, no matter its size, that wants to ensure the quality and authenticity of its plant-based products.

This worldwide standard is for any business involved in producing plant-based food products. 

By using this standard, businesses are better equipped to meet consumer and regulatory plant-based requirements, ultimately building trust and supporting product authenticity. The standard’s systematic approach helps to streamline production processes and improve product quality management.

Getting BRCGS Plant-Based certification can help companies wanting to enter the plant-based market or strengthen their reputation as a trusted provider of plant-based products.

Who needs BRCGS Plant Based

Benefits of BRCGS Plant-Based

The BRCGS Plant-Based standard offers organisations several key benefits:

  • Consumer trust – Builds consumer confidence by proving that plant-based product claims are genuine.
  • Regulatory compliance – Helps companies meet international regulations for plant-based products, reducing legal risks.
  • Market access – Opens doors to new markets by aligning with globally recognised plant-based standards.
  • Risk management – Offers a framework to identify and reduce risks associated with plant-based production.
  • Operational efficiency – Streamlines production processes, enhances quality management and reduces waste.
  • Leadership engagement – Encourages involvement from leadership, prioritising plant-based assurance across the organisation.
  • Reputation enhancement – Strengthens brand reputation by showing a commitment to high standards of product integrity.
Benefits of BRCGS Plant Based

The BRCGS Plant-Based Standard Explained

BRCGS Plant-Based Specification

The BRCGS Plant-Based standard was developed by BRCGS, a leading organisation focused on brand and consumer protection, to address the increasing demand for reliable plant-based products.

The standard was created in response to the increasing consumer demand for plant-based products. Organisations struggle to meet this demand while maintaining product integrity and mitigating risk, which is where this standard’s robust management system framework applies.

The BRCGS Plant-Based standard is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It provides a structured approach for managing plant-based product integrity across various industries and sectors. This supports compliance with global dietary and labelling regulations, demonstrating that products meet consumer and regulatory expectations.

BRCGS Plant-Based Requirements

The requirements of the BRCGS Plant-Based standard help you set up an effective food management system to keep your plant-based products genuine and meet regulatory standards. To achieve this, it focuses on several important areas:

  • Product integrity – Make sure all products meet strict plant-based criteria, excluding animal-derived ingredients.
  • Supply chain management – Check and monitor suppliers to ensure they follow plant-based standards.
  • Risk assessment – Conduct detailed risk assessments to identify and reduce potential contamination risks.
  • Traceability – Maintain full traceability from raw materials to finished products, ensuring accountability.
  • Product testing – Implement regular testing to confirm plant-based claims and compliance.
  • Training – Provide ongoing staff training to ensure understanding of plant-based requirements and practices.
  • Internal audits – Regularly conduct audits and reviews to assess compliance and identify areas for improvement.

BRCGA Plant-Based Certification

A BRCGS Plant-Based certification demonstrates that your company’s plant-based management system meets the standard’s requirements.

It assures customers and partners that you consistently produce and manage plant-based products effectively, maintaining authenticity and compliance with global plant-based standards.

To achieve certification, follow these steps:

  • Get started – Read the Standard and Interpretation Guideline publications to fully understand the requirements.
  • Learn – Consider participating in BRCGS Academy training to gain practical insights into implementing the requirements.
  • Registration and licence agreement – Inform BRCGS of your audit intention, submit the Licence Agreement, and pay the necessary fees.
  • Review – Perform a self-assessment gap analysis and train your team, considering consultancy if needed.
  • Prepare – Create an action plan based on the self-assessment, conduct risk assessments, and carry out internal audits.
  • Plan audit – Book an audit, ensuring your employees are available and ready.
  • On-site audit – This process involves observing procedures, reviewing documentation, and conducting staff interviews.
  • Non-conformities – Fix any identified non-conformities with corrective actions within 28 days.
  • Certification – We will review the non-conformities, finalise the audit report, and issue a certificate within 42 days if successful.

BRCGS Plant-Based Standard FAQs

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