BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based Certification
Build confidence in your plant-based claims through robust controls that protect consumers and your brand.
BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based Certification
Certification to the BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based demonstrates that your site has implemented the operational controls needed to prevent the introduction of animal-derived materials and safeguard the integrity of plant-based products. It helps strengthen confidence in your claims, protect your brand and meet customer expectations.
The standard sets out clear requirements for organisations producing plant-based products, covering segregation, traceability, supply chain assurance and claims management. It provides a certification framework based on a management system approach to ensure plant-based products remain free from materials of animal origin.
What is the BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based standard?
The BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based applies to organisations that manufacture, process, handle or supply plant-based products. It establishes clear operational requirements to prevent the introduction of animal-derived materials and maintain the integrity of plant-based claims.
Globally recognised, the standard can be applied to processed foods, ingredients and natural health products. When linked to a GFSI-benchmarked food safety scheme, it can also be applied to pet food.
Certification to the BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based helps you achieve:
- A competitive advantage through credible, independently verified plant-based claims
- Greater consumer confidence and stronger brand protection supported by effective operational controls
- Enhanced supply chain assurance from raw materials through to finished products
- Robust segregation, traceability and product integrity throughout production and handling processes
- Clear labelling and claims management aligned with retailer requirements and consumer expectations
The BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based takes a site-based approach to evaluation rather than focusing solely on ingredient verification. It is designed as a straightforward add-on to any GFSI-benchmarked food safety standard or Global Markets Programme (Intermediate Level), enabling seamless integration with existing food safety systems and BRCGS certification programmes. It also helps organisations demonstrate compliance where plant-based certification is required by customers or retailers.
Value of BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based certification
Certification by an independent third party such as DNV demonstrates that your organisation has implemented the operational controls needed to prevent the introduction of animal-derived materials and protect the integrity of plant-based claims.
It also provides assurance that these controls are operating effectively in day-to-day activities, helping ensure that plant-based products meet the integrity standards expected by consumers, retailers and brand owners.
As a result, your organisation can benefit from:
- Alignment with retailer and market expectations for plant-based product integrity
- Demonstrable due diligence supported by robust operational controls
- Reduced risk of mislabelling incidents or product recalls resulting from animal-derived contamination
- Independent assessment that helps identify gaps and opportunities for continual improvement
- Globally recognised certification that supports market access and strengthens competitive positioning
Why partner with DNV?
DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies. Through management system certification, supply chain assurance and training services, we help companies manage risks, assure compliance and build competence in organisations, supply chains and people.
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How to get certified to BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based
To achieve certification, your organisation must first implement the procedures, controls and management systems required by the standard. DNV is an independent, BRCGS-recognised certification body approved to carry out audits and certification against the BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based.
We can support you at every stage of the certification journey, from BRCGS Plant-Based training and self-assessments to gap analyses and independent certification services. Our experts can help you understand the requirements, identify areas for improvement and prepare your organisation for a successful certification audit.
As a DNV customer, you also get access to a suite of digital tools that can help you ensure compliance, continually improve and manage your entire certification journey with us.
Learn how to get started and be certified
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Obtain the standard:
Get a licensed copy of the relevant standard and familiarise yourself with the requirements to decide whether certification or registration to this standard is appropriate for your organisation.
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Review available literature and apply digital tools
Explore available literature, guidance from the standard owners (e.g. ISO/TS 9002 for ISO 9001, ISO 14004 for ISO 14001) and digital sources and tools that can support implementation. As a DNV customer, you also get access to tailored tools that can help you.
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Assemble a team and define strategy:
Implementing a management system should be a strategic decision for the entire organisation. Senior management must be engaged in the decision, committed to it, and involved in shaping the system. They decide the business strategy the management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system.
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Determine competence needs:
First, your team responsible for implementing and maintaining the management system needs a thorough understanding of the chosen standards. Later, the wider organisation needs awareness training. DNV offers a variety of public and in-house courses worldwide that meet competence development needs at all levels of your organisation.
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Review consultant options:
Independent consultants can advise on a workable, realistic and cost-effective implementation strategy if you do not already have this competence or capacity in-house.
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Develop management system documentation:
Decide on an appropriate platform for your documented information (e.g. software, process map- or SharePoint-based). The right platform is important to ensure effective management, communication and implementation.
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Determine, manage and document processes:
First, identify key processes – what they are, how they work and how they interact. Each process should have a clear purpose, defined responsibilities and expected outputs. The level of documented information needed depends on the organisation’s size, complexity and the importance of each process, but it must include the relevant processes and other documented information needed to deliver intended outcomes and comply with the chosen standard’s requirements.
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Implement management system:
Clear communication and appropriate competence training are essential. During the implementation phase, you will work to ensure that your organisation operates in line with defined and documented processes. Once this is achieved, you can demonstrate the system’s compliance and effectiveness.
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Select a certification body/registrar:
Selecting the right certification body or registrar can make a difference throughout your certification journey. DNV offers a trusted partnership approach, a risk-based approach and a range of free digital tools to help you manage your certification journey before, during and after the audit.
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Consider a pre-audit gap analysis:
Consider a preliminary evaluation by your certification body or registrar to identify and correct non-conformities before starting the official certification process. The purpose is to identify areas of non-conformance or weakness, allowing you to address them before the official certification process begins.
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FAQ
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Plant-based certification provides independent assurance that products are produced and handled in a way that prevents the introduction of materials of animal origin. It helps build consumer trust, protect brand reputation and support credible plant-based claims in a growing and increasingly scrutinised market. Certification can also help meet retailer requirements and facilitate access to new markets.
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Certification to the BRCGS Global Standard Plant-Based helps demonstrate that robust operational controls are in place to protect the integrity of plant-based products and claims. It provides increased customer confidence and credibility, strengthens brand protection, reduces the risk of mislabelling or recalls, enhances supply chain assurance and provides clear evidence of your commitment to product integrity for customers, retailers and other stakeholders.
It also delivers globally recognised certification that validates plant-based claims, supports market access and helps build consumer trust in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
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