BRCGS Voluntary Food Safety Modules: Enhance Your Certification

What Are BRCGS Voluntary Modules?

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards) Voluntary Modules are supplementary certification options that can be added to an existing BRCGS audit, providing organisations with an efficient pathway to demonstrate compliance with specific regulatory requirements, customer expectations, or areas of strategic focus that fall outside the scope of the core standard.

Rather than requiring a separate standalone certification process, these modules are assessed during a scheduled BRCGS audit, minimising operational disruption while meaningfully broadening the scope and value of an organisation’s certification programme.

Who Should Consider Voluntary Modules?

Voluntary Modules are most relevant to organisations that:

• Operate in the U.S. market and are subject to FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls requirements
• Supply customers who require demonstrated FSMA compliance from their suppliers
• Want to formally assess and benchmark food safety culture alongside their core BRCGS audit
• Are looking to distinguish their certification profile with customers and trading partners

These modules are not mandatory, but for organisations with specific regulatory obligations or customer-driven requirements, they represent a practical and recognised route to demonstrating compliance without the burden of an entirely separate certification process.

Available Modules

Food Safety Culture Excellence (FSCE)

Food safety culture is increasingly recognised as one of the most important indicators of long-term food safety system effectiveness. Strong procedures perform best when supported by an organisation where food safety is genuinely understood and valued at every level. The FSCE module evaluates leadership commitment, communication practices, employee engagement, and the depth to which food safety is embedded as an organisational value. It provides a structured, third-party-verified benchmark for cultural maturity.

FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food

Designed for facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human consumption and sell into the U.S. market, this module evaluates implementation of FDA FSMA Preventive Controls requirements. Assessed alongside an existing BRCGS audit, it provides a streamlined and recognised mechanism for documenting and demonstrating regulatory compliance.

FSMA Preventive Controls for Animal Food

This module addresses FSMA Preventive Controls requirements for facilities producing food intended for animals. It is particularly relevant for organisations in the pet food and commercial animal feed sectors supplying the U.S. market. Like the human food module, it is assessed as part of an existing BRCGS audit for maximum efficiency.

Benefits of BRCGS Voluntary Modules

• Extends certification scope without a standalone audit event
• Provides documented, third-party-verified evidence of FSMA compliance for U.S. buyers and regulators
• Delivers a formal food safety culture benchmark not included in most standard certifications
• Demonstrates proactive compliance and a commitment to going beyond baseline requirements
• Strengthens supplier qualification standing with customers who value comprehensive certification

Determining the Right Modules for Your Organisation

The right modules depend on your markets, product categories, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations. PJRFSCC’s certification specialists can help evaluate your current compliance landscape and identify which modules will deliver the most value alongside your core certification.

PJRFSCC certification specialists can help you work through which modules are relevant to your operation and what adding them to your next audit would involve. Contact PJRFSCC at 1-855-757-7374 or request a quote to learn more.

*PJRFSCC does not provide consulting services, since doing so would be a conflict of interest. However, PJRFSCC is acquainted with several reputable food safety consulting firms and can provide a reference list upon request.