Preparing for BRCGS certification? AFVA provides BRCGS consulting support for New Zealand food manufacturers, from gap analysis through to certification audit.
Talk to a consultant: Get a free initial consultation
BRCGS (formerly BRC) certification is one of the most widely recognised GFSI-benchmarked food safety standards used by retailers, brand owners and exporters to qualify their suppliers. If a customer — particularly a supermarket chain, brand owner or export market — has asked your business to become BRCGS certified, this guide explains what the standard covers, how the certification process works, what it typically costs in New Zealand, and how it compares to SQF and ISO 22000, the two other certification schemes New Zealand food manufacturers are most often asked for.
Like SQF and ISO 22000, BRCGS certification is not a government requirement in New Zealand — it sits on top of your existing Food Act obligations (Food Control Plan, National Programme or Risk Management Programme) rather than replacing them. Certification bodies audit against the standard and issue a certificate; MPI and local councils have no role in BRCGS certification itself.
Quick answer
BRCGS certification is voluntary in New Zealand and typically required by retailers, brand owners or export customers rather than by law. The current version is the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, Issue 9. Certification is graded AA to D based on the non-conformities found at audit, and any non-conformities must be corrected and evidenced within 28 calendar days of the audit. Preparation typically takes 6–12 months depending on how developed your existing food safety system is, and total first-year costs — certification body fees plus any consulting support — commonly range from roughly NZ$4,000 to NZ$20,000+ for a single site. Always confirm current fees directly with your chosen certification body.
On this page
What BRCGS certification is · Is it legally required? · Certification grades · The certification process · Indicative costs · BRCGS vs SQF vs ISO 22000 · Choosing a certification body · Common mistakes · How AFVA can help · FAQs
What Is BRCGS Certification?
BRCGS stands for Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (formerly the British Retail Consortium). The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is a GFSI-benchmarked scheme, meaning customers who accept GFSI-recognised certifications will generally accept BRCGS as evidence of a robust food safety and quality system — which can reduce the number of separate supplier audits your business has to host.
The current edition, Issue 9, assesses a site across seven areas: senior management commitment, the food safety plan (HACCP), a food safety and quality management system, site standards, product control, process control, and personnel. Certification applies at site level — it covers a specific manufacturing location, not a company as a whole, which matters if your business operates from more than one site.
Who Typically Needs BRCGS Certification in New Zealand?
In practice, BRCGS certification is usually pursued by food manufacturers and packers supplying UK and European retailers or brand owners, contract manufacturers, and exporters whose customers specify it as a condition of supply. It is less commonly requested for domestic-only New Zealand retail than SQF, but this varies by customer and product category.
Is BRCGS Certification a Legal Requirement in New Zealand?
No. BRCGS certification is a commercial requirement set by individual customers, not a legal requirement under the Food Act 2014. Every food business in New Zealand still needs to meet its underlying regulatory obligations regardless of whether it also holds BRCGS certification.
| Requirement | Mandatory? | Who assesses it |
|---|---|---|
| Food Control Plan, National Programme or RMP | Yes — Food Act 2014 | MPI or your council verifier |
| Food business registration | Yes — Food Act 2014 | MPI / local council |
| BRCGS certification | No — customer/contract requirement | Accredited certification body (e.g. Telarc, SGS, Kiwa) |
BRCGS Certification Grades: AA to D
BRCGS audits are graded on the number and severity of non-conformities found, from AA (the highest grade) down to D. A critical non-conformity — a serious food safety failure — results in an automatic failed audit rather than a grade. All non-conformities, regardless of grade, must be corrected and evidenced within 28 calendar days of the audit for certification to be issued or maintained.
| Grade | General basis |
|---|---|
| AA | Highest grade — very few, if any, minor non-conformities |
| A | A small number of minor non-conformities |
| B | More minor non-conformities, or one major |
| C | A higher number of non-conformities across categories |
| D | Lowest passing grade — multiple major non-conformities |
| Critical / Fail | A critical non-conformity fails the audit outright, regardless of other findings |
Exact scoring criteria are defined in the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, Issue 9. Your certification body can confirm how a specific finding will be graded.
The BRCGS Certification Process
Most New Zealand businesses follow a similar sequence to reach certification, though the pace depends on how developed your existing food safety system already is:
- Obtain the current BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, Issue 9, and review it against your operation.
- Complete a gap analysis comparing your current food safety and quality system to the standard's requirements.
- Build or strengthen your HACCP-based food safety plan using Codex methodology, and put prerequisite programmes (cleaning, pest control, allergen management, traceability) in place.
- Train relevant staff and embed a documented food safety culture programme — a specific Issue 9 requirement.
- Choose an accredited certification body and book your audit date.
- Run an internal or third-party pre-audit (mock audit) to identify gaps before the real thing.
- Undergo the certification audit — typically 1–3 days on-site depending on site size and complexity.
- Close out any non-conformities within 28 calendar days and receive your certificate and grade.
- Maintain certification through annual surveillance audits and continued compliance.
Most businesses starting from a reasonably developed food safety system should budget 6–12 months to prepare for a first BRCGS audit — longer if HACCP, allergen controls or traceability systems need to be built from scratch.
Indicative BRCGS Certification Costs in New Zealand
BRCGS certification costs vary considerably by site size, product risk category and how much preparation support you need. The table below sets out general cost components as a starting point for budgeting.
| Cost component | Typical basis | Indicative NZ$ range |
|---|---|---|
| Certification body registration & audit fee | Per audit, site-size dependent | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| Consulting / gap-analysis & preparation support | Project or day rate | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
| Staff training (HACCP, food safety culture) | Per course / session | $300 – $1,500 |
| Corrective action follow-up / re-audit (if needed) | Per visit | $700 – $2,000 |
| Annual surveillance audit | Per year | $2,500 – $6,000+ |
These figures are general market indicators for budgeting purposes, not a quote. See how AFVA can help below for a scoped quote.
BRCGS vs SQF vs ISO 22000: Which Certification Do You Need?
All three are GFSI-recognised (or GFSI-related) food safety schemes, but they come from different owners and tend to be requested by different customer bases. Read our full guides to SQF certification and ISO 22000 certification for the full picture on each.
| Standard | Owned by | GFSI recognised | Typically requested by |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRCGS | BRCGS | Yes | UK/EU retailers, brand owners, exporters |
| SQF | Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) | Yes | US and NZ retailers, broad supply chain |
| ISO 22000 | International Organization for Standardization | Not directly (FSSC 22000, built on ISO 22000, is GFSI-benchmarked) | International trade partners, generic FSMS credibility |
Choosing a Certification Body in New Zealand
BRCGS certification must be issued by an accredited, independent certification body — you cannot certify yourself, and AFVA does not issue certificates. Certification bodies operating in New Zealand for BRCGS include Telarc, SGS New Zealand and Kiwa, among others. When comparing certification bodies, ask about:
- Their accreditation and experience auditing your specific product category
- Whether they offer combined or integrated audits with other standards you hold (to save cost and site time)
- A clear, itemised quote covering registration, audit day rate and any travel costs
- Typical scheduling lead times in your region
Common Mistakes When Pursuing BRCGS Certification
- Treating it as a paperwork exercise rather than building a genuine food safety culture across the site
- Leaving the food safety culture programme — a specific Issue 9 requirement — until just before the audit
- Not testing traceability and mock recall procedures before the auditor asks for one
- Underestimating preparation time, especially if HACCP or allergen controls need to be built from scratch
- Not confirming the exact scope, product categories and Food Sector Category with the certification body before booking
How AFVA Can Help
AFVA's BRCGS consulting service supports New Zealand food manufacturers through gap analysis, food safety plan development, staff training and mock audits ahead of certification, so you go into your audit knowing where you stand. Contact us for a free initial consultation and scoped quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About BRCGS Certification in NZ
Is BRCGS certification compulsory in New Zealand?
No. It's a customer or contract requirement, not a legal one. Your Food Act obligations (Food Control Plan, National Programme or RMP) apply regardless of whether you pursue BRCGS.
How long does BRCGS certification last?
Certificates are generally valid for 12 months, maintained through annual surveillance audits. Some certification bodies offer an unannounced audit option on a different cycle — ask your certification body which applies to you.
What's the difference between BRCGS and SQF?
Both are GFSI-recognised food safety schemes with a similar audit-and-grade structure, but they're owned by different bodies and tend to be requested by different customer bases — see our SQF Certification NZ guide for a full comparison.
Do I need a consultant to get BRCGS certified?
It's not compulsory, but most first-time applicants use one — the standard is detailed, and a consultant can run a gap analysis and mock audit that often prevents avoidable non-conformities.
What happens if my site gets a D grade?
You're still certified, but non-conformities must be closed out within 28 days, and a low grade may prompt closer questions from customers. Most businesses treat a low grade as a signal to invest more in preparation before the next audit.
Can I combine a BRCGS audit with SQF or ISO 22000?
Some certification bodies offer combined or integrated audits across standards to reduce total site time and cost — ask when you request a quote.
Official Guidance and Resources
- BRCGS: Global Standard for Food Safety
- MPI: Food control plans
- MPI: Register a food business
- Telarc: BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety certification
Published September 2026. This article provides general guidance on BRCGS certification for New Zealand food businesses and is not a substitute for the official BRCGS Global Standard document or advice from an accredited certification body specific to your site.
Need Practical Food Safety Support for Your Business?
Contact us for free initial guidance. We provide practical, plain-English food safety support for New Zealand food businesses across all service areas.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice specific to your situation. Contact us for guidance based on your actual food activities and requirements.