BRC / IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials - Issue 3 (Revised ed)

Incorporating a thorough review of all clauses to provide greater guidance for packaging businesses and clarity to auditors, the "BRC / IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials (Issue 3)" has been extensively revised for 2008.Originally created to establish a standard for the supply of packaging and packaging materials for the food industry, this publication has now become a leading global standard adopted by major retailers and packaging businesses around the world.

Certification to the Standard verifies technical performance, aids manufacturers' fulfillment of legal obligations, and helps provide protection to the consumer.All of the changes within the revised edition have been based on wide and extensive consultation with international stakeholders.

Changes to the revised Standard include: expanding the application of the previous edition from food packaging to suitability for all packaging applications; greater clarity and definition of hazard and risk analysis as the cornerstone of a packaging safety management system; and greater emphasis on senior management commitment to achieving a quality management system.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) will be working more closely with certification and accreditation bodies to improve the infrastructure through training and the development of performance monitors. To allow time for retailers, producers, and certification bodies to become fully familiar with the new requirements and for the BRC to develop their support and infrastructure, the BRC will not recognise certification against the revised Standard for six months after it is formally published.

This will be published as a requirement in the Standard.