The START! programme has been developed to complement the Global Standard for Food Safety. As certification to the Global Standard continues to develop, it is important to provide opportunities to recognise and encourage the development of food safety systems in small sites where the full requirements of the Global Standard may not always be practical or add value and in sites that are still developing food safety management systems. The START! programme is aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Global Markets programme. The START! programme will enable audits and certification against two levels of requirements: basic and intermediate.

The basic and the intermediate - level requirements of the START! programme provide recognised stepping stones towards eventual certification to the full Global Standard (if required). They also provide assurance to customers about the food safety systems operating at those supply sites that have gained certification at either of these two levels.

The scope of the START! programme

The START! programme sets out the requirements for the manufacture of processed foods and the preparation of primary products supplied as retailer-branded products, branded food products, and food or ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies and food manufacturers. The audit and certification will apply only to products that have been manufactured or prepared at the site where the audit has taken place and will include storage facilities that are under the direct control of the production site management.

The START! programme does not apply to food products that do not undergo any process at the audited site or to activities relating to wholesale, importation, distribution or storage outside the direct control of the company.

Use of BRCGS intellectual property

Information on how you can use BRCGS Standards, guidance and published content can be found here. You can also find a list of answers to common questions on how BRCGS content can be used here.