What does BRCGS Storage and Distribution cover?
BRCGS Storage and Distribution addresses product safety and quality during storage and movement. The actual activities and scope determine the controls, including handling conditions and interfaces with transport or subcontracted services.
Who it is for
Warehouses and distribution operations handling food, packaging or relevant consumer products.
Key areas to understand
Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.
- 1Assess product risks during storage and transport.
- 2Control facilities, handling conditions and subcontracted activities.
- 3Maintain traceability and respond to incidents.
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.
- Activity scope and product-risk assessment
- Receipt and dispatch checks
- Storage condition and alarm records
- Vehicle and contractor controls
- Traceability and incident response 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 one temperature-sensitive consignment through receipt, storage and dispatch. Compare recorded conditions with the agreed product requirements. If an alarm occurred, check how the team identified affected stock, assessed it and authorized any release.
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
An alarm log is not enough if no one can show what happened to the affected product. Connect each exception to a documented disposition decision.
Prepare for assessment
The assessment type for this guide is storage and distribution 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 Storage and Distribution reference information