A single rejected shipment can cost a business months of trust. This is the reality many food companies in Qatar face when buyers demand specific certifications they don’t yet understand. This is why the difference between BRC and ISO 22000 is so important for Qatar’s food sector. BRCGS now covers over 30,000 sites in 130 countries, making it a highly trusted retail-chain standard. These two frameworks may share the same goal, protecting the consumer, but they take very different routes to get there. One offers flexibility and management-driven control. The other demands strict operational discipline shaped by global retailers. For companies navigating certification choices, understanding these differences determines who they can sell to, how strong their processes become, and how confidently they enter international markets. Making the right choice strengthens trust, reduces risk, and sets the foundation for long-term success.
If you’re not sure if BRCGS or ISO 22000 is right for you, Qualitas Consulting can help. We’ll guide you to the best choice and ensure a smooth certification process.
What Is BRCGS Certification in Food Safety?
BRCGS is a globally respected, retail-led standard designed to give supermarkets and brand owners complete confidence in the manufacturers they deal with. Strength lies in its prescriptive, non-negotiable requirements. Every clause is detailed, every control is validated, and every part of the manufacturing environment is continuously monitored.
This structure helps manufacturers, while ensuring consistent product quality, reduces contamination risks, and protects the brand.
Why BRCGS Sets a Higher Benchmark for Operational Rigor
BRCGS goes beyond typical FSMS requirements by demanding:
- tightly controlled site infrastructure
- strict environmental hygiene programs
- in-depth allergen and foreign-body controls
- verified cleaning effectiveness
- structured supplier assurance
- transparency across the entire supply chain
It drives manufacturers to deliver consistent performance. This holds true no matter the production volume, staff changes, or seasonal pressures.
Industries and Supply Chains That Rely on BRCGS
Its scope covers a wide range of segments, including:
- food manufacturing
- packaging
- agents, brokers, and traders
- logistics and distribution
- household and personal care goods
BRCGS is essential for complex supply chains. It ensures that all stakeholders can rely on consistent safety and quality.
Why BRCGS Is Crucial for Exporters in Qatar
Manufacturers in Qatar who supply UK or European retailers often need BRCGS certification. It’s typically a requirement, not a choice. Qatar’s food and beverage industry has about 86 factories. This shows a growing local production system. Retailers prefer BRCGS because it offers:
- Predictable quality
- Transparent traceability
- Globally recognized operational standards
- Reduced brand and legal risks
For exporters, BRCGS acts as a fast track to acceptance in high-demand markets.
If you want to achieve BRCGS certification with clarity and confidence, we can guide you end-to-end.
What is ISO 22000 and How Does It Strengthen Food Safety Management?
ISO 22000 defines how a food safety management system (FSMS) should be built, documented, monitored, and improved. Unlike BRCGS, it does not prescribe exact operational requirements. It provides businesses with a framework to create an FSMS. They can adjust it to match their processes, risk levels, and structure.
Its strength comes from strong leadership, teamwork in communication, and a lasting commitment to food safety culture.
Key Elements That Make ISO 22000 a Solid Foundation
ISO 22000 integrates internationally recognized risk tools:
- HACCP for structured hazard control
- PRPs and OPRPs for baseline hygiene
- The PDCA cycle for procedural improvement
- top management-driven strategic planning
This combination makes food safety everyone’s job, not just the production team’s.
How ISO 22000 Builds Long-Term Internal Strength
ISO 22000 improves organizational capability by:
- Enhancing documentation structures
- Improving process ownership
- Strengthening internal audits
- Unifying procedures across departments
- Supporting strong decision-making and training
Builds discipline from within, making it ideal for companies seeking sustainable FSMS maturity.
Why Qatar’s Local Producers and SMEs Prefer ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is widely adopted because it is:
- cost-efficient
- easy to scale
- suitable for diverse food sectors
- aligned with Qatar’s regulatory requirements
This global trend extends far beyond Qatar. In fact, ISO 22000 certifications have increased by more than 30% worldwide in recent years, according to official IAF data. This reflects the food industry’s growing trust in a flexible, management-driven approach to food safety. It’s the best choice for businesses seeking global recognition. They get this without the strict rules of retail-driven standards.
How BRCGS and ISO 22000 Fit Into Global Food Safety Frameworks
BRCGS is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This means it meets strict international standards. ISO 22000 becomes GFSI-recognized only when paired with ISO/TS 22002, forming FSSC 22000.
This distinction influences:
- global buyer acceptance
- retail onboarding speed
- cross-border compliance
- supply chain confidence levels
Market Acceptance: Where Each Standard Leads
- ISO 22000 → widely accepted for general FSMS compliance
- BRCGS → the preferred retail certification, especially in Europe and the UK
What This Means for Qatar’s Manufacturers
A company’s certification can affect its ability to enter:
- supermarket chains
- private-label programs
- high-volume export channels
Choosing the wrong standard may delay market entry or reduce buyer interest.
BRCGS vs. ISO 22000: Key Differences Explained
BRCGS and ISO 22000 both aim to ensure safe, high-quality food, but they get there through very different philosophies. Understanding these contrasts helps Qatar-based manufacturers, processors, and distributors choose the certification that truly supports their operational, market, and export goals. ISO 22000 is globally widespread, with the standard adopted in 50+ countries, according to New Food Magazine. In the BRCGS 2023-24 business report, auditors raised 230,000 corrective actions for non-conformities. This shows the strictness of their audit process.
1. Scope and Certification Focus
ISO 22000: ISO 22000 is built around a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) approach. Its core objective is to ensure that food safety risks are systematically identified, evaluated, and controlled across all processes. The focus is on management structure, risk-based thinking, continual improvement, and system-level oversight.
BRCGS: BRCGS, on the other hand, places a stronger emphasis on operational performance on the factory floor. It sets clear rules for hygiene, facility layout, equipment design, housekeeping, foreign-body control, and production practices. Its focus is on consistency, site discipline, and product integrity. This is verified through strict audits, which can be announced or unannounced.
Why this matters: ISO 22000 strengthens your internal systems; BRCGS strengthens your day-to-day execution. Most businesses need clarity on which matters more based on customer requirements and export markets.
2. Risk Management Approach
ISO 22000 combines HACCP, operational prerequisites, and management controls. It uses a clear risk-assessment method that is structured and analytical. It provides flexibility in how hazards are assessed and controlled, allowing organizations to design their own prevention measures as long as they meet the standard’s intent.
BRCGS: BRCGS adopts a practical, site-level risk model. It specifies clear, mandatory controls for high-risk processes. These include the glass policy, allergen segregation, supplier approval, and traceability tests. This minimizes variability between facilities and ensures predictable product safety outcomes.
Why this matters: ISO 22000 encourages organizations to think deeply about risk. BRCGS reduces the room for error by telling them exactly what “good” must look like.
3. Documentation and Audit Expectations
ISO 22000: ISO 22000 allows businesses to create documentation tailored to their operations. As long as procedures support effective risk control and continuous improvement, companies have the freedom to structure SOPs, records, and monitoring systems. Audits focus on alignment, effectiveness, and system coherence.
BRCGS: BRCGS requires clear, standardized documents that align with the standard’s clauses. It needs clear policies, detailed procedures, documented checks, and visible action on the shop floor. Auditors check not only system design but also real-world applications with a high level of scrutiny.
Why this matters: ISO’s documentation fits your organization; BRCGS needs your organization to fit its documentation.
4. Buyer Expectations and Market Drivers
ISO 22000: This standard is recognized worldwide in food manufacturing, catering, logistics, packaging, and retail. Many organizations choose it for its internationally recognized FSMS and flexibility. This is especially true for businesses that want a solid base for adding FSSC 22000 later.
BRCGS is preferred by retailers in the UK and EU. Major brand owners also prefer it. They want a strict standard that cuts down site-to-site differences. For export-driven manufacturers in Qatar, especially those supplying to retail chains, BRCGS can provide a strong competitive advantage.
Why this matters: ISO 22000 satisfies system expectations; BRCGS satisfies retailer expectations. Selecting the right one directly affects market access and buyer confidence.
Choose the right standard with a gap analysis; we assess your current system and map your path to certification.
Flexibility vs. Prescriptiveness: Which Approach Works for You?
ISO 22000 – The Flexible Framework
ISO 22000 offers freedom in how businesses design their processes while ensuring:
- Strong food safety culture
- Consistent documentation
- Well-defined internal responsibilities
BRCGS – The Prescriptive Standard
BRCGS ensures:
- Rigorous operational controls
- Uniformity among suppliers
- Higher oversight during audits
Choosing Based on Qatar’s Market Needs
Local or GCC-focused businesses benefit from ISO 22000. Export-focused manufacturers depend on the precision and international trust associated with BRCGS.
Here is a more enriched, high-value, non-repetitive version of your comparison table. Each row now highlights a meaningful distinction that adds clarity and practical decision-making value for readers.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table of ISO 22000 vs. BRCGS Requirements
| Feature | ISO 22000 | BRCGS |
| Certification Nature | Framework-based Food Safety Management System (FSMS) built on risk analysis, leadership, and continual improvement | Retail-driven, product-and-site assurance scheme with strict technical criteria for consistent food safety outcomes |
| Documentation Structure | Organisations design their own documentation format as long as it supports effective risk control | Documentation must align closely with standard clauses, with detailed procedures, records, and evidence of implementation |
| Audit Approach | System-focused audits carried out annually with emphasis on effectiveness and alignment | Highly forensic site inspections with announced or unannounced audits assessing hygiene, facility controls, and operational discipline |
| Hazard and Risk Methodology | Relies on HACCP, PRPs, and risk-based thinking to define control measures tailored to operations | Applies predefined, mandatory controls for allergens, foreign-body management, supplier approval, traceability, and product protection |
| Operational Expectations | Allows flexibility in how controls are implemented as long as risks are mitigated | Requires strict adherence to specific operational practices and daily production standards across all sites |
| Global Recognition | Internationally recognized across all food sectors and suitable for integration into broader management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etc.) | Highly recognized by retailers, global brands, and buyers seeking uniform, audit-ready operational performance |
| Industry Fit | Ideal for producers focusing on structured FSMS development and continuous improvement | Best suited for manufacturers aiming to enter export markets, supply private-label retailers, or meet high-assurance supply chain expectations |
| Complexity Level | Moderate – adaptable to business size and process maturity | High – detailed requirements demand strong operational discipline and ongoing audit readiness |
| Primary Benefit | Strengthens system governance, accountability, and organisation-wide risk control | Demonstrates robust, consistent site practices that build trust with retail and international buyers |
When ISO 22000 Is the Best Choice
ISO 22000 is ideal when your organization needs:
- A strong FSMS structure
- Continuous internal improvement
- Cost-effective certification
- Flexibility in designing food safety controls
It suits:
- Small and medium producers
- Catering activities
- Regional suppliers
- Food service establishments
When BRCGS is the Preferred Standard
BRCGS is essential when your business must prove:
- Strict compliance with retail-driven specifications
- High-level operational control
- Consistent quality under tight production schedules
It is best for:
- UK/EU-oriented exporters
- Private-label brand manufacturers
- High-risk food categories
How to Choose the Right Standard for Your Business
Making the right choice depends on:
- Your target market
- Product risk category
- Buyer requirements
- Long-term growth strategy
A gap assessment shows which standard will provide the best return on investment and reduce certification challenges.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Food Safety Standard
The right certification helps your business:
- Meet national and international regulations
- Reduce food safety incidents
- Build customer trust
- Create operational efficiency
- Strengthen market competitiveness
It becomes a strategic tool for growth, not a box-ticking requirement. Certified food businesses experience up to a 40% drop in product recalls after receiving BRCGS certification, according to a global industry survey.
How Qualitas Consulting Helps You Achieve Certification Smoothly
Strategic Gap Assessments and Standard Selection
We look at your operations, market goals, and product risks. Then, we suggest the certification that offers long-term value.
Documentation, FSMS Development, and Implementation
Our consultants create full FSMS documentation. It aligns with your chosen standard, is clear, audit-ready, and tailored to your processes.
Training, Internal Audits, and Readiness Support
We train your team with targeted sessions, internal audits, and guidance on corrective actions. This ensures you meet all requirements before your certification audit.
Why Qatar’s Leading Food Businesses Choose Qualitas QA
We offer a clear, practical, and results-focused approach. This helps organizations get certified easily and boosts their long-term operational strength.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between BRC and ISO 22000?
BRCGS is a detailed food safety and quality standard used by many retailers. In contrast, ISO 22000 is a flexible food safety management system (FSMS) that follows HACCP principles. It works well for any food-chain organisation.
2. What is the difference between ISO and BRCGS?
ISO 22000 offers a process-based way to manage food safety hazards throughout the supply chain. BRCGS focuses on strict standards for operations, facilities, and products. Global retailers and branded-product makers often need these standards.
3. What is BRC in food safety?
BRC (now BRCGS) is a well-known global standard for food safety in retail. It establishes clear rules for product integrity, supplier management, and third-party audits in the food manufacturing industry.
4. What is ISO 22000 for food safety?
ISO 22000 is a global FSMS standard. It combines HACCP principles with a risk-based approach. This helps organizations manage food safety hazards and maintain ongoing compliance.
