What does BRCGS Packaging Materials cover?
BRCGS Packaging Materials addresses safety and quality in packaging manufacture. The product’s intended use matters: contamination or a failure to protect contents can create risks downstream even when the packaging looks acceptable.
Who it is for
Manufacturers of packaging materials for food and other relevant consumer-product applications.
Key areas to understand
Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.
- 1Connect intended use and specifications to risk assessment.
- 2Control contamination and manufacturing conditions.
- 3Maintain material traceability and change control.
Evidence to prepare
This list is a starting point. Check the standard for all required documents. For each item, record who is responsible, the activity or site it relates to, and a recent example showing how it works.
- Packaging specifications and intended-use information
- Hazard and risk assessment
- Hygiene and contamination-control checks
- Material and production traceability
- Inspection, release and change records
Keep records that explain what was checked, which requirement was used and who checked it. Include any action taken when a requirement was not met. Link each record to the work it supports.
An internal audit example
Suggested checks from 4Auditee
Follow a packaging batch from incoming materials through printing, conversion and release as applicable. Compare the actual process with the intended-use specification, and check how a change in ink, adhesive or raw material was assessed.
Choose a sample that suits your activities and risks. If you find a gap, record the requirement, the evidence and what was missing. Check more examples if the first results suggest a wider problem.
A common problem to check
Appearance checks alone may miss suitability or contamination risks. Connect acceptance decisions to the product’s intended contact and use.
Prepare for assessment
The assessment type for this guide is packaging certification scheme. Confirm the requirements, what will be assessed and how the assessment will work with the responsible body or customer. These steps help you prepare. You must also follow the scheme’s official rules.
- Define what is covered. List the products, services, activities and sites. Record the standard edition, additional scheme rules and customer requirements.
- Find what is missing. Compare the requirements with current work. Prioritise gaps by risk. Assign someone responsible and a completion date.
- Keep records of everyday work. Check a sample of actual records and speak with the people involved. Make sure they understand their responsibilities.
- Check the results. Complete internal reviews and audits. Check that corrective actions worked before closing problems.
From one site to many
Make it easy to find who is responsible at each site. Keep company policies separate from records of local work. Link each site’s records to its activities, risks and requirements so you can spot gaps at individual sites.
Sites that share a management system do not automatically qualify for one certificate or assessment. Confirm which sites can be included and how they will be checked with the assessment body.
About this guide and its sources
4Auditee wrote this guide using the public source below. The evidence list, audit example and preparation steps are our suggestions. Read the official standard and scheme rules for the full requirements. This guide does not include the standard’s full text or provide certification.
DNV: BRCGS Packaging Materials reference information