Originally developed and published in 2001, the Global Standard Packaging Materials was designed to protect the consumer by providing a common basis for the certification of companies supplying packaging to food producers.  The Standard has been updated at regular intervals since, to reflect the latest thinking in product safety, and to encourage adoption of the Standard globally. It has attained usage worldwide not only by food packaging producers, but also producers of packaging for all applications at all levels of the supply chain. This now includes producers of packaging for hygiene-sensitive consumer products such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and single use disposable products such as paper napkins.

The Standard provides all types of packaging manufacturers with a robust framework to assist them:

• in the operational manufacture of safe packaging materials and related products
• to manage product quality to meet customers’ requirements
• to fulfil obligations regarding legal compliance and protection of the consumer or user.

The format and content are designed to allow a company’s premises, operational systems and procedures to be assessed against the requirements of the Standard by a competent third party.

Who should use this publication?

Certification against the Standard is recognised globally by many brand owners, retailers, procurement companies, agents and brokers, food service companies and manufacturers when assessing the capabilities of their suppliers.

It is a requirement that all suppliers undergoing a BRCGS audit to the Global Standard Packaging Materials have access to an official copy of the Standard. Companies must comply with all modules to achieve certification.

This title comes in PDF and print format. Please check you are ordering the format you want before you press 'add to basket' as BRCGS cannot issue refunds against PDFs purchased in error.

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.