The BRCGS Global Standard Consumer Products is a British Retail Consortium (BRCGS) standard to guarantee the safety, legality and quality of non-food products that are sold in the wholesale and retail trade. Non-food products are all articles which do not consist of food. More than 700 organizations in over 48 countries have already been certified, and ever more suppliers are following suit. According to the BRCGS this BRCGS Consumer Product certification is increasing by 11% every year.
Certification enables access to many brand owners, retailers, food-related service companies and manufacturers, above all in the Anglo-American market. The aim of the standard is to protect consumers based on consistent quality and risk management, and to provide the retail trade with high-value and safe products.
The standard is composed of two Standards;
- Personal Care and Household
- General Merchandise
Each Standard is certificated at two levels, Foundation and Higher based on the requirements.
Personal Care and Household covers formulated and fabricated products which typically have higher hygiene requirements due to the nature and usage of products. Examples include cosmetics, medical devices, nappies, food wrap and household cleaners.
General Merchandise covers a wide range of mainly fabricated products where management of the production process to ensure the safety and quality of the products is the primary concern. Examples include electrical equipment, toys, furniture, textiles and jewellery.