BRC IoP Certification: Why It Matters for Food Packaging

What is BRC Packaging (IoP)?

BRC Global Standard for Packaging Materials is an international quality and safety standard developed for manufacturers of food-contact packaging materials. Created by the British Retail Consortium and accredited by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative).

BRC IoP is important because it provides:

• Trusted supplier status in the global food supply chain
• Retailer acceptability worldwide
• Systematic risk management and traceability infrastructure

Why is BRC Certification Required?

1. Global Food Brand Requirements

Why is BRC Certification Required?

1. Global Food Brand Requirements

Major food manufacturers like Nestlé, Ferrero, Mondelez, Kerry Group, and PepsiCo require GFSI-approved certification from their suppliers.

BRC is the most widely accepted standard meeting these requirements.

2. Retailer Requirements

Major retailers like Tesco, Carrefour, Metro, and Migros mandate BRC certified packaging for private label products.

3. Risk Reduction

A BRC certified manufacturer:

• Minimises contamination risk
• Reduces product recall probability
• Ensures legal compliance

4. Export Advantage

BRC certification provides significant advantage for food packaging exports to the EU, USA and other developed markets.

BRC Grading System

BRC audits result in four grades:

AA Grade (Highest)

AA grade indicates the manufacturer fully meets all standard requirements. Achieving AA in an unannounced audit is the most prestigious result.

A Grade

B Grade

C Grade

Note: Any critical non-conformity results in failed certification.

Key BRC Requirements

1. Senior Management Commitment

• Defined food safety policy
• Resource allocation
• Management review process

2. Hazard and Risk Management

• HACCP-based hazard analysis
• Risk assessment for all processes
• Documented control measures

3. Quality Management System

• Document control
• Internal audit programme
• Supplier approval and monitoring

4. Site Standards

• External and internal standards
• Cleaning and hygiene
• Pest control

5. Product Control

• Product design and development
• Raw material control
• Traceability system

6. Process Control

• Control of operations
• Calibration and monitoring
• Foreign body detection

7. Personnel

• Training requirements
• Personal hygiene
• Protective clothing

Audit Types

Announced Audit

• Scheduled date known in advance
• Standard audit approach
• All grades achievable (A, B, C)

Unannounced Audit

• No advance notice
• Higher prestige for passed audits
• AA grade only achievable through unannounced audit

What Buyers Should Look For

When selecting BRC certified packaging suppliers:

Certificate Verification

1. Check certificate validity on BRC Directory
2. Verify scope includes your product type
3. Confirm grade (AA preferred)

Audit History

• Consistent grades over time
• No critical findings
• Continuous improvement evidence

Scope Coverage

• Specific packaging type certified
• Production processes included
• Material categories covered

Karaca BRC IoP AA Certification

Karaca holds BRC IoP AA grade certification, the highest achievement level. Our certification scope includes:

• Food-grade FIBC production
• Food-contact packaging materials
• LDPE, EVOH, and multi-layer liner production

Key features of our certified facility:

• Clean room production areas
• Full lot traceability
• Foreign body detection systems
• Documented HACCP plan

Our certification has been validated through audits by global brands including Kerry, Nestlé, and Ferrero.

Download our certificates or contact us to discuss your food packaging requirements.