BRCGS certificate: how long is it valid?
In practice, a BRCGS certificate is usually valid for one year, counted from the audit date. After that, a new audit follows to renew the certificate. The exact validity and the audit frequency depend on the grade you achieve and on the audit programme that applies to your scope. Always read the current rules of the scheme and the arrangements with your certification body.
For an understanding of the scheme itself, the BRCGS hub gives an overview. The way findings and grades relate is explained in the audit result. The annual cycle after certification is part of the step-by-step plan.
A certificate that expires is not renewed automatically. Plan the next audit before the expiry date, and do not leave your customers with an expired certificate.
Validity at a glance
| Question | Indication | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| How long is the certificate valid? | Usually twelve months from the audit date | The certificate itself, and the arrangements with your body |
| When does the next audit take place? | Before the expiry date, according to the audit programme | Your certification body’s planning |
| Does my grade affect the frequency? | According to certification bodies: grade AA, A or B annually, grade C or D every six months. Check this in the current standard | Current BRCGS rules for your grade |
| Should I expect an unannounced audit? | Yes, in the announced programmes at least once every three years, according to MyGFSI | Audit option in your contract |
| What if I have a finding? | Correct it and have it checked before the decision is made | Audit report and the body’s decision |
The figures in this table are an indication. Check them in the current official text of the scheme before you base a decision on them.
What happens at a new audit
At the renewal audit, the auditor looks again at your full scope. They check whether the findings from the previous audit have been resolved and whether your system still works. You must have reported and processed changes to products, lines, sites or outsourced processes before the audit.
Prepare in the same way as for the first audit. Use the internal audit to find gaps before the external auditor arrives. A fictional meat processor that starts two months before the expiry date has little time to correct a finding and have it checked. Start at least three months ahead.
Switching to another certification body
Sometimes a company wants to change certification body (CB), for example for a better price or service. That is possible, but it requires a careful switch. The points below come from practice documents of certification bodies. The exact rules are in the current BRCGS regulations. Make sure you arrange them in writing:
- The current certificate remains valid until the planned date, or the switch is agreed with the old body.
- The new body assesses your current certificate and your scope before it accepts the switch.
- The next audit date stays in line with the planning, so you do not get a gap.
- All open findings are included and documented.
A new body can carry out an assessment of the existing certificate before it accepts you. Ask the new body to confirm the conditions for the switch in writing, because these can differ per body and per situation.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing the expiry date. Put it in your calendar, with a reminder three months ahead.
- Not reporting changes. A new line without notice can lead to a finding at the next audit.
- Switching without consultation. A switch without agreement can create a gap in your certification.
- Not keeping customers informed. A customer who sees the certificate expire will ask questions, which you prefer to answer in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make an expired certificate valid again?
Usually not simply. An expired certificate must be assessed again. Ask your certification body what the procedure is for your situation.
What if my grade is lower than expected?
Then a corrective action follows. For grade C or D, the cycle is every six months according to certification bodies. Check this in the current standard. Read the audit result for how findings and the decision are connected.
How do I know whether my certificate is still valid?
Check the expiry date on the certificate itself, and ask your certification body for confirmation if you are unsure. Keep the certificate and the confirmation together in your document folder.