Defining the BRCGS scope: product, process and site
The BRCGS scope describes exactly what the certification covers. Use the official BRCGS guideline for designing scope (F931) as a starting point, and also read the BRCGS help and guidance . The BRCGS route to certification then shows why a clear scope is needed for the certification body.
A scope is not a marketing phrase such as “food production”. You describe the site, product groups and activities that together determine the food safety risk. The BRCGS hub explains how this part fits into Issue 9. Costs and timeline then helps you make a comparable request for quotes.
For orientation, the MyGFSI listing for BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 names the scopes BIII, C0, CI, CII, CIII, CIV, D and K. The category descriptions cover, among other things, plant-based pre-processing, processing of animal products, perishable animal or plant products, mixed or shelf-stable products, animal feed and food ingredients. Use this list as a first indication. F931 and the certification body determine how your products and processes are delimited.
A bakery produces at site A, has chilled storage carried out at site B and packs part of its output under private label. Write down that reality in full first. Then ask the certification body to assess which activities and sites can fall under the same certification scope.
On this page
Use the cards to build the scope question step by step. The goal is a description that can be checked by the customer, the auditor and the certification body. This page does not take over the formal scope decision.
1. Site and ownership
Start with the physical address and the boundaries of the site. Name production halls, warehouses, laboratory, loading bay and any shared areas. Also record which legal entity runs the process and who is responsible for product release.
An office on the same premises is not automatically a separate scope. A standalone storage facility outside the premises can be relevant, though. The question is always which activities affect product safety and the certified process.
2. Product and process
Describe product groups and processes in plain language. Think of goods receipt, storage, mixing, heating, cooling, filling, labelling, metal detection and dispatch. Also include seasonal products and new product lines that may start during the certification period.
The description must match your risk analysis. A sauce producer, for example, lists raw material receipt, allergen changeovers, cooking, filling, chilled storage and release. That lets an auditor understand which controls should appear in the BRCGS requirements guide.
3. Outsourced activities
Make every outsourced step visible: chilled storage, contract packing, laboratory testing, transport or processing by a third party. Record who carries out the activity, where it takes place and how you check the controls.
Including an external party in your scope does not automatically mean that party falls under your certificate. The certification body may need to assess the relationship, responsibilities and auditability separately. So describe the chain and have the formal boundaries confirmed.
4. Have the scope checked
Before you request a quote, send a short scope description to the certification body. Ask which product categories, activities and sites it includes in its offer. Keep the version of your scope and the reply, so that any differences between the quote, the audit plan and the certificate stay visible.
Use these questions in your file:
| Question | Example of how to record it |
|---|---|
| Which site? | Production and dispatch at address A |
| Which products? | Shelf-stable sauces and dressings |
| Which processes? | Mixing, heating, filling, labelling |
| Which third parties? | Cold storage at address B, contract laboratory |
| Which change? | New vegan product line from November |
A scope description is preparation, not a certification decision. Have questions about category, outsourcing or multiple sites answered in writing before the audit.
Whether a site falls within the scope also depends on the requirements of your customer. Read is BRCGS mandatory? to record that requirement in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does every storage location need to be on the certificate?
Not automatically. Always describe the storage location in your supply chain and scope question. The certification body decides how the activity is treated.
Can my private label customer determine the scope?
The customer can require a particular scheme or product group. You remain responsible for a complete description of your processes. Record both expectations before you book an audit.
What do I do with a new product line?
Assess whether the product line falls within the existing scope, and ask the certification body to confirm. Update your risk analysis and documentation before the product is released.