Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Free BRC Enrolment Suitability Survey?

For more information on the survey, select "Free BRC Enrolment Suitability Survey" from the links on the left of this screen; or simply click on the following link to begin the survey: Online Survey.


Who is eligible?

Any food business who has not previously been certified to the BRC Global Standard Food Safety, but has certification as a medium term objective, can join the Enrolment Programme.


How does it work?

Clients contract with a BRC Certifier for an audit to be conducted. During that audit and depending on the number of non-conformities, the site will either be awarded formal certification (a grading) or will be awarded a score based on the number and severity of non-conformances found. Unlike the previous system there is no “fail”.

Sites that enter the Enrolment Programme will be required to generate an improvement plan which is published in a private area of the BRC Directory together with the site score. The plan can be updated to demonstrate improvement to prospective purchasers. When the site has completed its improvement plan the Certification body will carry out a further evaluation.  This process is repeated at least annually until the site attains a sufficient score enabling the Certification body to award a grading.


Can you recommend a Certification Body to carry out our BRC audit?

FoodChain are pleased to recommend Cert ID Europe for BRC certificaiton purposes. Please see our "Preferred Partners" page which can be accessed via the menu on the left.


Do I have to choose whether I want an Enrolment or Full BRC audit at the time I contract the certification Body?

No. Essentially the first audit will always be an Enrolment audit with two possible outcomes; Certification or registration on the Enrolment scheme. At the end of the audit the auditor will determine whether the number and severity of non-conformities will enable the site to obtain a grading. If the number and severity of non-conformities is not sufficient for the site to “pass” the site will be registered on the Enrolment scheme


Is the Enrolment Scheme open to all food businesses?

No. Only those sites which have no previous certification under issues 4 or 5 of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety can participate in the Enrolment scheme. Sites which have previous registration under issues 4 or 5 will be required to undertake a full certification audit for which the outcome will either be a grading or a fail.


Is the score my site has attained under the scheme in the public domain?

No. Participating Enrolment scheme sites will have their site details and scores uploaded onto the BRC website although only retailers will be able to access information relating to scores. In addition, sites can choose which retailers they wish to release their score to placing visibility solely within the hands of your site.


What happens after the Enrolment audit?

Once the audit has been completed sites will be required to put together an Action Plan to address to non-conformances raised. The Action Plan must be uploaded onto the BRC website within 28 days of the audit taking place. You will be required to undertake a “root cause” analysis of all non-conformances and be able to show this analysis on request. As non-conformances are closed out sites will need to amend the Action Plan accordingly and upload a replacement onto the BRC website. All non-conformances must be closed out before your next Audit.


Do I need to have another full audit once the site is enrolled?

Yes. The Enrolment scheme requires certification audits to be carried out at least annually to demonstrate “continual improvement”.


What is “continual improvement”?

“Continual Improvement” is not defined in the Standard, however sites registered on the scheme must be able to demonstrate that progress has been made following subsequent audits.


I’ve closed out all the non-conformances raised and addressed them in my action plan; when can I book in another audit?

The standard’s protocol currently indicates that sites which have attained a “D” grade or “Fail” would not be expected to have effectively implemented all actions necessary to close out non-conformances in less than 3 months of the date of the original audit. However please consult your Certification Body for more details.


How can FoodChain help?

FoodChain employ a host of skilled, experienced and well respected industry professionals with experience of implementing systems which are sufficient to enable certification against the BRC Global Standard for Food. We can work with you:

As your advisory and consultancy partner we work with you every step of the way to provide you with a “Fast Track to Conformity”.