What Are the Key Requirements for BRC Food Certification in Qatar 2025?

The BRC Food Certification is the key to building trust and quality in Qatar’s food industry. Due to tougher food safety rules in the Gulf region, many businesses are seeking British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification. This helps them boost their food safety practices and meet global trade standards.

By 2025, more than 36,000 food sites worldwide will have BRC Certification, according to the BRCGS Annual Report 2024-25. This includes major food producers in the Gulf region.

If you’re a food producer, distributor, or packaging supplier in Qatar, knowing the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) is key.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to get ready for BRC Certification in Qatar. You’ll also find out what key requirements to meet. 

Ready to start your journey toward certification success? Contact Qualitas Consulting today for a free consultation. Start your journey to full compliance!

Note: The British Retail Consortium (BRC) changed its name to BRCGS in 2019 to show its global reach and wider focus across different industries.

What Is the Scope of BRC Certification and What Are Its Core Standards?

BRCGS Certification covers all parts of food manufacturing and processing. This includes handling raw materials, packaging, and distribution. It is recognized worldwide and evaluated by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

The main BRCGS standards include:  

• Commitment from senior management to ongoing improvement  
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles  
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) documentation  
• Internal audits and risk assessments  
• Personal hygiene, facility layout, and sanitation  
• Traceability and transparency in the supply chain  

Each requirement in the BRC standards helps keep quality consistent. It also ensures compliance with laws and protects consumers. Companies in Doha and throughout the Gulf region that meet these standards can confidently supply to international markets.

How Can You Follow the BRC Certification Process Step by Step?

Getting BRC Certification in Qatar might seem tough at first. However, a clear process makes it easier and more effective. The journey includes understanding BRCGS standards, getting your team ready, and aligning all processes with international food safety certification requirements. Here’s a simple step-by-step overview to help you get started:

Step	Process	Purpose
1	Internal Audit and Gap Analysis	Compare the requirements of BRCGS with your current system
2	Create a HACCP and FSMS plan	Create a strong management system for food safety
3	Documentation and Training	Create traceability records and train staff
4	Pre-Assessment Evaluation	Find non-conformities prior to the primary audit
5	BRC Audit	Conducted by a certification body to verify compliance
6	Corrective Action Plan (CAP)	Resolve any problems and provide proof
7	Certification Approval	Receive your BRC certificate (valid for 12 months)
8	Surveillance & Renewal	Regular certification renewal to maintain compliance

BRCGS impact studies show that certified sites often see a 40% drop in product recalls. This occurs when they adopt a strong Food Safety Management System (FSMS). Working with Qualitas Consulting can make this process easier. They offer professional BRCGS consultancy services, documentation support, and internal audit training.

What Are the Best Tips for Achieving BRC Certification Success?

To succeed with BRCGS Certification in Qatar, you need careful planning, teamwork, and ongoing improvement. Whether you’re new to the process or preparing for a BRC audit, these expert tips will help your business meet and maintain high food safety standards:

Build a strong food safety culture from top management to production staff

Keep all documentation and traceability records accurate and up to date

Use regular internal audits to detect weak areas early

Ensure your HACCP plan for food safety is validated and understood by your team

Work with experienced BRCGS consultants in Qatar for professional guidance

A proactive approach cuts down on non-conformities. It boosts audit grades, like AA or A. Plus, it shows the company’s commitment to excellence.

To learn more about these grades—including what AA/AA+ mean—read our latest blog post now: BRC Certification in Qatar: Achieving Global Food Safety Standards
Statistics: Businesses that invest in employee training and involve management under BRCGS see more than 60% boost in production efficiency. They also experience an average sales increase of 7.5% within a year of certification.

What are the Common Pitfalls in the BRCGS Certification Journey That Qatar Businesses Face?

Even the top food businesses in Qatar can encounter issues during their BRC Certification process. Recognizing these pitfalls early helps you avoid costly delays or non-conformities during the BRC audit. Stay ahead! Here are some common issues and how to tackle them:

Pitfall	Impact	Solution
The lack of commitment from poor management	Delays certification	Assign distinct leadership positions.
Poor application of HACCP	Unreliable food safety	Revise HACCP on a regular basis
Incomplete FSMS documentation	Fails compliance checks	Maintain up-to-date records in real time.
Ignored internal audit findings	Repeat non-conformities	Address issues immediately
Lack of employee training	Operational errors	Conduct ongoing workshops

Regular BRC audit preparation in Qatar can help businesses stay ready year-round instead of scrambling at the last minute.

What Changes Should You Expect in BRC Food Certification for 2025?

The BRC Certification updates bring important improvements designed to strengthen food safety across the Qatari food industry. Version 9 of the BRC Food Certification focuses on leadership, technology, and proactive risk control, helping businesses align with global standards and GFSI-benchmarked certification expectations. Here’s what to expect:

Greater focus on food safety culture and leadership involvement

Advanced risk assessment and supply chain management

Clearer BRC audit requirements for allergen control and product authenticity

Enhanced digital documentation systems for traceability

Revised audit grading and BRC certificate renewal process

These updates follow global best practices for food safety certification in Qatar. They also ensure that we meet GFSI certification standards.

How Can BRCGS Standards Strengthen Your Food Supply Chain?

Implementing BRCGS standards does more than just meet audit needs. It also creates a stronger, safer, and clearer food supply chain in Qatar. When suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers all follow BRC food safety standards, it creates a reliable system. This system protects products and helps maintain brand reputation.

Here’s how BRCGS food certification strengthens your supply chain:

• Improved supply chain integrity and transparency
• Stronger customer confidence and international credibility
• Reduced waste through better process control
• Enhanced collaboration between producers, distributors, and retailers

BRC certification consultants in Doha help businesses meet local supply chain and regulatory standards. 

Case Study: Mawarid Food Company, a top regional supplier, found that using BRCGS standards boosted food fraud prevention and labelling accuracy. This also increased customer trust throughout their distribution network.

How Can You Track Metrics and Measure Progress During BRCGS Food Certification?

Tracking progress in BRC certification in Qatar is essential. It ensures long-term compliance and fosters ongoing improvement. Monitoring key performance indicators helps businesses spot weaknesses early. In this manner, they can gradually enhance their Food Safety Management System (FSMS).

 Here is how you do it effectively:

• Audit scores and frequency of non-conformities
• Results from internal audits and staff evaluations
• Customer complaint trends and response times
• Performance of your HACCP plan and risk assessment
• Outcomes of compliance audits and renewal results

Tracking these metrics shows where you need improvement. It also helps you see how your Food Safety Management System (FSMS) performs over time.

How Can Businesses Maintain Continuous Improvement After Achieving BRC Certification?

Earning BRC Certification is a big achievement. However, keeping it means you must stay committed to continuous improvement. The food industry in Qatar requires companies to continuously enhance their Food Safety Management System (FSMS). This keeps them in check and competitive in a fast-changing market.

Here’s how your business can stay on track:

• Holding quarterly management review meetings
• Updating risk assessments and control measures
• Using findings from internal audits to refine operations
• Working together with Qatari food safety certification organizations to conduct refresher audits

A mindset of continuous improvement helps your company keep its certification. It also improves your reputation for food safety and reliability.

What Are Your Next Steps Toward Food Safety Excellence with BRCGS Certification?

If you want to achieve long-term success in Qatar’s food sector, now is the time to take action. Conduct a gap analysis first. Next, create a solid FSMS. Finally, train your team on the steps for BRCGS implementation. Collaborating with experts like Qualitas Consulting can make your journey to certification easier. They are a reliable provider of ISO certification and BRCGS consultancy services. 

Achieving BRC Certification allows your business to meet compliance standards. It also builds consumer trust and strengthens your brand. Plus, it leads the Qatari food industry to safer, higher-quality production.

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