Welcome to the first edition of the Plant-Based Global Standard. The Standard has been developed in response to a shift in consumer purchasing behavior resulting in the rapidly growing demand for plant-based products. The industry has been challenged with meeting consumer demands while also protecting brand reputation and mitigating risk. The Standard provides certainty for industry and consumers alike.

The Standard is based on a comprehensive management system approach and provides a framework for manufacturers to assist them in the production of plant-based food. It includes operational criteria required to be in place to ensure that plant-based products are free of material of animal origin.

Even the most informed consumer may unknowingly consume animal products or ingredients due to the challenge of correctly identifying animal-containing ingredients based on product labeling information alone. The plant-based on-pack trademark will empower consumers to make informed choices quickly and easily. The trademark will allow brands and products to differentiate themselves.

The Plant-Based Global Standard provides confidence to consumers and industry alike.

Scope of the Plant-Based Global Standard

The Plant-Based Global Standard applies only to the control of animal inputs in plant-based products, in the manufacture, processing and packing of:

- processed foods, both own brand and customer branded

- ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies, and food manufacturers

- pet foods (Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked schemes only)

- natural health products

Information for Manufacturing sites

Manufacturing sites please complete the plant-based program schecule before your audit. Download it here

If you are an Auditor or a Manufacturing Site and you want to learn more about the BRCGS Plant-Based certification program why not take the Academy e-Learning course specifically developed to help you gain a better understanding - review training. 

It is a requirement that all suppliers undergoing a BRCGS audit to the Plant-Based Global Standard Issue 1 have access to an official copy of this Standard.

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 question on how BRCGS content can be used here.