BakPac achieves AA+ Grade in BRCGS Certification
We’re very pleased to announce that BakPac has been awarded a double AA+ grade certification for the BRC Global Standard for Packaging Materials. The facility in Brentwood was awarded the accreditation following an unannounced visit in September.
Highest Standards
This is our 4th annual inspection but our first unannounced visit which is why, with just 3 minors we were upgraded from a double AA to a double AA+ rating.
The accreditation gives the necessary assurance to our customers that the flexible packaging we are supplying is produced in a facility with the highest hygiene standards, in addition to the highest production standards they already receive.
Changes since previous inspection
Since our last inspection in November 2022 we have expanded the production area to accommodate the new Digicon 3000, a second pouch converter and additional spout and valve inserters. With a growing production floor and increasing staff numbers, our internal quality team have had a busy time!
Unannounced yet fully prepared
On the day of our first unannounced BRCGS inspection we had a very busy day already planned. Not only was our production floor fully loaded but we also had a large group of external visitors from Brazil joining us for a factory tour before they headed to Labelexpo in Brussels. In addition, our annual FSC certification inspection was also booked in.
Credit to our whole team that we were unphased and maintained the consistent standards to achieve the highest possible grading.
What does BRCGS certification mean?
BRCGS stands for “British Retail Consortium Global Standard.” This is the standard for ensuring that the producers of food and related materials for sale to the public are doing so in a safe and legal way. The major retailers in the UK started the BRC organisation and made its suppliers comply with it to reduce the risk of selling food that would make its customers ill. The standard is based on having good manufacturing practices which includes hygiene standards and policies. It is used worldwide by manufacturers producing packaging materials for any product that ends up in the hands of consumers. It is a requirement from most major brands in the FMCG sector.
We are producing packaging in BakPac that will be in contact with the food that people eat. Without BRC we would not be able to gain certain types of business, so maintaining accreditation is a critical part of our business plan. Achieving certification takes time as there are quite rightly a number of detailed process to go through. We are assessed on all aspects of the business, from the quality of the facility and equipment to provision of staff training and their protective clothing and personal hygiene. The team here work diligently and consistently to maintain the standards required for a double AA+ standard.
Baker Labels
The BakPac facility was purpose built within one of the factory units at Baker Labels during 2019. No corners were cut and none of the £2.5 million investment was wasted in creating a sealed food safe area with the highest spec of presses from HP, Karlville, A B Graphic and now also Galaxy. The flexible packaging division was formally launched in February 2020
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