Retail group updates distribution standard

The British Retail Consortium has published the third issue of its BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution.

The Standard is designed to ensure best practice in handling, storage and distribution of products and promotes continuous improvement in operating practices to ensure product safety, quality and legality.

Audits against Issue 3 will begin on 1 February 2017.

Issue 3 has been developed by a group including retailers, food service companies, industry trade associations, independent experts and certification bodies. It focuses on:

• continuing to ensure consistency of the audit process
• grading system to increase recognition for better performing companies
• unannounced options – full and 2 part to give even more confidence to customers that standards are constantly being applied
• greater consistency with the requirements of the other BRC Global Standards
• vehicle and load security
• more robust requirements for own-label wholesalers to reduce their exposure to fraud
• increased supplier approval requirements
• focus on companies providing contracted services in areas that have traditionally resulted in recalls and withdrawals (e.g. label and packing management)

Scheme manager Thomas Owen said: “”The development of Issue 3 has been based on the values of the previous issues while ensuring that the update reflects the latest best practices. The consultation with the users of the standard set the main focus for the rewrite on improving product security and reducing vulnerabilities in the supply chain.”