BRCGS audit result: grades, non-conformities and certification decision
After a BRCGS audit you receive a report with findings. The official route to certification and the BRCGS FAQ for certification bodies explain who has which role. For unannounced audits and grading, the BRCGS079 protocol is the relevant primary source.
An auditor reports the findings. The certification body assesses the file and makes the formal certification decision. A grade is therefore not a score you can reliably calculate yourself from loose observations. On the BRCGS hub you can read the context, and the requirements guide helps you understand findings in substance.
The grade follows the assessment methodology of the current protocol. For an unannounced audit, the grade can carry a plus, such as AA+ or A+. BRCGS079 uses that notation to indicate the unannounced audit type. The plus sign is not a bonus on the outcome. A letter grade on its own also does not tell you whether certification has been granted. For that, the certification body assesses the full file, the non-conformities and the corrective actions.
A fictional producer receives three findings after an announced audit. The team investigates the cause of each finding, carries out corrections, collects evidence and delivers the file within the agreed deadline. The example does not predict a grade.
On this page
The cards follow the route from observation to decision. Use them to order your actions after an audit. Exact classifications, deadlines and decision rules come from the current official protocol version.
1. Record the finding
Read the finding as it is written. Note where the auditor saw it, which product or process it relates to and which objective evidence is cited. If something is unclear, ask for an explanation before you formulate a cause or action.
Distinguish between a direct correction and a structural action. Correcting an incorrectly completed form is needed immediately. Finding out why the check did not flag the error prevents recurrence.
2. Investigate the cause
A root cause analysis is more than “employee did not pay attention”. Examine instructions, training, planning, tools, checks and management decisions. A cold storage log with missing readings may, for example, point to unclear handover between shifts, not only to one forgotten entry.
Record which data you reviewed and why the chosen cause is plausible. A short, concrete analysis is easier to test than a general statement about human error.
3. Corrective action
Describe what you change, who owns it and which evidence shows that the action works. Think of an adjusted work instruction, a verification on the floor, a repeated traceability test or a trend check. Also check whether similar lines or products are affected.
Agree the form and timing with the certification body. The auditor can assess evidence, but the certification body decides, based on the file, whether the decision can be made.
4. Decision and follow-up
After assessment, a certificate may be issued, additional action may be needed, or certification may not be granted or maintained. The outcome depends on the current protocol rules, the findings and the quality of the evidence submitted.
Use an internal overview for ownership, but do not build your own grade calculator:
| After the audit | Practical action |
|---|---|
| Report received | Review findings with the responsible process owners |
| Cause and action determined | Check the scope of the problem and comparable processes |
| Evidence submitted | Record version, date, owner and verification |
| Decision received | Close actions and include lessons learned in the management review |
Grades and thresholds can change with the applicable protocol version. Do not reproduce counted thresholds from an old summary. Use the current BRCGS protocol and the instructions from your certification body.
An open finding counts towards the next audit and the validity of your certificate. Read how long a certificate is usually valid in BRCGS certificate: how long is it valid?.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides the grade?
The grade follows from the official assessment methodology and the audit file. The certification body makes the formal certification decision within the BRCGS programme.
May I directly dispute a finding?
Discuss factual misunderstandings during the audit and read the report carefully. A response must be supported by facts and evidence. A discussion does not replace a corrective action when the finding is valid.
Is a good grade a guarantee of food safety?
No. Certification is an assessment against a scheme at a given moment. Daily control, legal compliance and response to new risks remain necessary.