The fourth issue of the Global Standard for Packaging & Packaging Materials was published February 2011. Originally published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Inst of Packaging in 2001, it was designed to protect the consumer by providing a common basis for the certification of companies supplying packaging to own-brand food producers. The Standard has bee updated at regular intervals to reflect the latest thinking and the scope expanded to include packaging for consumer products. The emphasis of the Standard has also changed reflecting the needs of customers to ensure that not only is the packaging produced in a hygienic environment but that the quality and performance are effectively managed to meet specifications. The Standard has now established worldwide usage as a framework for business to assist in the production of safe packaging for use both for food and for consumer products. This fourth issue has been developed with advice and input from a wide range of international stakeholders. The Standards specifies the safety, quality and operational criteria required within packaging manufacturing organisations to fulfil obligations with regard to legal compliance and protection of the consumer. The format and content are designed to allow an assessment of company premises, operational systems and procedures by a competent third part (certification body) against the requirements of the standard.
