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Training content
Overview
BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 – Standard Requirements Training
BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 – Standard Requirements Training aims to enable organisations operating in the consumer products sector to establish, implement and evaluate their product safety, legality and quality management systems in accordance with the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 standard.
The training covers the structure of the standard, product and process risk management, hazard analysis and risk assessment (HARA), product safety and quality culture, site standards, production and process controls, personnel requirements, enhanced hygiene conditions, traded products and the certification audit protocol.
The programme combines theoretical instruction, case studies and practical exercises to support the understanding and effective implementation of the standard requirements within organisations.
Objectives and Outcomes
Training Objective
To provide participants with the knowledge and skills to interpret the requirements of the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 standard, assess product safety and quality management systems, understand HARA and risk-based control processes, develop practices that comply with the standard requirements, and prepare for certification audits.
Learning Outcomes
Participants who complete the training are expected to acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- Understand the structure and requirements of the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 standard
- Interpret the principles of product safety, legality and quality management
- Assess product safety and quality culture requirements
- Review product and process risk assessments
- Assess HARA plans and control measures
- Interpret supplier management, traceability and corrective action processes
- Assess site standards and production controls
- Understand product defence and product vulnerability assessment requirements
- Assess personnel, hygiene and competence requirements
- Interpret enhanced hygiene conditions and traded product requirements
- Understand the audit protocol, non-conformity and certification processes
- Plan the necessary preparations for certification audits
Programme and Method
1. Introduction to the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 Standard
- Purpose, scope and structure of the Standard
- Key principles of BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5
- Key changes between Issue 4 and Issue 5
- Product categories and scope of certification
- Structure of the Standard requirements and Fundamental clauses
- Risk-based approach and applicability assessment
2. Section 1 – Senior Management Commitment
- Senior management commitment and continual improvement
- Product safety and quality culture
- Product safety and quality policy
- Setting objectives and monitoring performance
- Management review
- Organisational structure, responsibilities and authorities
3. Section 2 – Product and Process Risk Management
- Product design and development requirements
- Product risk assessment
- Product information, labelling and claims
- Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA)
- HARA team and prerequisite programmes
- Process flow diagrams and identification of hazards
- Control measures, control limits and monitoring systems
- Verification, validation and corrective actions
- HARA documentation and records management
4. Section 3 – Product Safety and Quality Management
- Product safety and quality management system
- Control of documents and records
- Internal audits
- Supplier approval and performance assessment
- Management of outsourced processes and service providers
- Control of specifications
- Traceability requirements
- Control of non-conforming products
- Complaint management
- Corrective and preventive actions
- Incident management and product recall processes
Day 2 – Site, Production and Personnel Requirements and the Audit Protocol
Training Duration: 8 Hours
1. Section 4 – Site Standards
- External areas and infrastructure requirements
- Site security and product defence (Product Defence)
- Site layout, product flow and segregation
- Internal building structure and utilities
- Cleaning, hygiene and waste management
- Pest management
- Equipment and maintenance requirements
- Prevention of product contamination
- Foreign-body control and detection equipment
- Management of allergens and substances causing sensitivities
2. Section 5 – Product and Process Control
- Receipt of raw materials, components and packaging materials
- Product vulnerability assessment (Product Vulnerability)
- Product inspection and laboratory testing
- Quantity control and management of production samples
- Production process control
- Line clearance and in-process controls
- Storage conditions
- Calibration of measuring and monitoring equipment
- Final product packaging and control
- Product release
- Dispatch and transport requirements
3. Section 6 – Personnel Requirements
- Personnel training and competence
- Protective clothing
- Personal hygiene rules
- Staff facilities and communal areas
- Personnel health checks
4. Sections 7 and 8 – Specific Requirements
- Enhanced hygienic conditions (Enhanced Hygienic Conditions)
- Applicability of enhanced hygiene requirements
- Site, equipment and personnel controls in hygienic areas
- Traded products (Traded Products)
- Risk assessment for traded products
- Manufacturer and supplier approval
- Specifications, testing, legality and traceability for traded products
5. Audit Protocol and Certification Process
- BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 audit protocol
- Audit types and audit planning
- Announced, blended (Blended) and unannounced audits
- Audit duration and audit scope
- Conducting the audit and assessing objective evidence
- Classification of non-conformities
- Corrective actions and root cause analysis
- Audit grading and certification
- Surveillance and recertification processes
- Overall assessment and final examination
Training Method
The training is delivered through theoretical instruction supported by practical exercises.
- Clause-by-clause review of the Standard requirements
- Presentation and theoretical instruction
- HARA and risk assessment exercises
- Case study analyses
- Group work and discussions
- Examples of audits and conformity assessments
- Overall assessment and final examination
Attendance and Certificate
Certificate Policy
A certificate of attendance is issued to all participants whose attendance has been confirmed. To receive a certificate of achievement, participants must obtain a passing grade in the examination at the end of the training; participants who use all their examination attempts but do not pass will be issued a certificate of attendance.
FAQ and Resources
1. Who is the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 Training suitable for?
It is suitable for quality managers, production supervisors, HARA team members, internal auditors, auditors and professionals working in the consumer products sector who wish to implement the requirements of the standard.
2. What is the purpose of the BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 standard?
Its purpose is to establish a management and certification framework that supports the manufacture of consumer products that are safe, legally compliant and meet specified quality requirements.
3. When will BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 begin to apply?
The Issue 5 standard will apply to audits conducted from 1 Haziran 2027 onwards.
4. What are the most significant changes in the Issue 5 standard?
The main changes include the introduction of a single standard and single certification level approach, risk-based requirements, product safety and quality culture, an updated HARA approach, product defence, enhanced hygiene conditions and requirements for traded products.
5. Is HARA covered in the training?
Yes. The training covers product and process risk assessments, the HARA plan, control measures, verification and validation activities.
6. Does the training cover all the main sections of the standard?
Yes. The training covers the eight main sections of the standard requirements and the audit protocol.
7. Can the training be delivered online or face-to-face?
Yes. The training can be scheduled online or face-to-face according to the requirements of the organisation and participants.
8. Is there an examination and certificate at the end of the training?
Yes. A final examination or assessment may be administered at the end of the training. A certificate is issued based on attendance and successful completion.
Resources
- BRCGS Consumer Products – Issue 5 (October 2026)
- BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 – Interpretation Guideline
- BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 – Guide to Key Changes
- BRCGS Consumer Products – Issue 4 (Previous version)