The British Retail Consortium reports that the BRC/IOP Global Standard for Packaging & Packaging Materials Issue 4 has been successfully benchmarked against Issue 6 of the GFSI Guideline. This is the first time GFSI has recognised packaging standards and the BRC/IOP Standard is the first packaging-specific standard to be recognised. It was originally developed in 2000 and, now in its fourth edition, is designed to ensure that factory hygiene and production systems provide the manufacture of safe packaging that meets customer specifications. The GFSI started with the aim of harmonising food safety standards. Supported by the world's leading retailers and production groups, it has become highly influential in working with standard owners to improve food safety standards globally. The BRC was instrumental in developing a GFSI benchmarking document of packaging standards for manufacturers, ensuring relevant guidance for this industry and greater recognition for sites already certified to the BRC Standard. Joanna Griffiths, BRC Packaging Technical Manager said: "Packaging has a vital role to play in food safety. Recognition of the BRC/IOP Standard by GFSI increases the confidence of food producers when sourcing pack materials from certificated sites, and provides greater incentives for packaging manufacturers to raise standards and become certificated."
