R 1.5.

2
Issue: 1

FAQs - BRC
Revision: 1

Owner:
Mgr., FSE&T
Authorized by: Mgr., FSE&T
Date Effective: Nov. 8, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - BRC

BRC-specific
1. My customer is asking that my facility be certified against a GFSI-recognized program. Does the
British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety meet this requirement?
A. Yes. The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is one of eight currently GFSI-recognized
programs.
2. Does the cost of the BRC training course include a copy of the standard?
A. Yes. The cost includes a hard copy of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (issue 6).
3. Does the cost of the BRC training course include an exam?
A. Yes. The cost includes the exam created by BRC and is administered in class at the end of
the second day of instruction. It is optional and your score will determine what type of
training certificate you are issued by BRC:
Merit 80% or over
Pass 60% - 79%
Training record no exam or fail
4. If I fail the BRC exam, can I re-take it?
A. Yes. The exam can be taken again, but it must be done under the same conditions as the
original exam. Please contact foodsafety@ecolab.com to schedule a re-take.
5. Is Ecolabs BRC training approved/accredited by the BRC?
A. Yes. Ecolab instructors are BRC Approved Training Providers (ATPs). The training courses
we deliver are provided to us by the BRC for use under license.
6. I know that for SQF and for FSSC 22000 there is a requirement for a designated champion for the
respective program at the site which is trained and qualified on the standard. Is this also the case
with BRC?
A. No. BRC does not require a BRC practitioner or BRC team leader be appointed, trained or
qualified in a special way. BRC does require that the program be successfully implemented
and maintained so in most facilities this will mean that someone needs to be the champion
for BRC and be trained on the BRC standard, have product-specific knowledge and HACCP
knowledge. BRC training is not required but it recommended. Classroom-style training
allows you to interact with an instructor and other industry-peers to better understand the
requirements, interpretations and best practices shared in class.
7. Does Ecolab teach BRC Auditor courses?
A. No. Ecolab does not currently teach BRC Auditor courses. You can search for these
courses on the BRC website (www.brcglobalstandards.com/GlobalStandards/Home.aspx ).
8. Does Ecolab offer Internal Auditor training courses?
A. Yes. Ecolab teaches an Internal Auditing for the Food Industry course. Please check out our
calendar www.regonline.com/CalendarNET/EventCalendar.aspx?EventID=920486&view=Month

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R 1.5.2
Issue: 1

FAQs - BRC
Revision: 1

Owner:
Mgr., FSE&T
Authorized by: Mgr., FSE&T
Date Effective: Nov. 8, 2012

This class will meet the requirements for internal auditor training for any of the GFSIrecognized programs.

9. Does Ecolab offer certified HACCP training/HACCP certification?

A. Yes. Ecolabs Advanced HACCP training course is accredited by the International HACCP
Alliance and the gold IHA seal is attached to the certificate. Ecolab has partnered with a
third-party provider to offer a personnel certification option for our class. Participants who
successfully complete the third partys accredited exam with a passing score will earn an
additional certification certificate.
10. Is HACCP training a prerequisite for the BRC course?
A. No, but it is best to have HACCP training prior to taking the BRC course. If you have had
experience with HACCP and are familiar with the concepts, you will have sufficient
knowledge to understand these and related concepts covered in the class. Do not forget
that someone in the business needs to lead the HACCP team so they need to have
evidence of HACCP training but you can take the HACCP class after the BRC class if you
wish.
11. Does Ecolabs Advanced HACCP course apply to food service, retail or packaging manufacture?
A. Ecolabs Advanced HACCP course is focused on food manufacturing only and does not
apply to food service, retail or food packaging manufacturing operations. It is also suitable
for retail and food service personnel who are responsible for managing or qualifying
suppliers.
12. How long does it take for me to get my BRC training certificate?
A. Training certificates are issued by the BRC once they grade your exam. This typically takes
1-2 weeks from the time the exams and participant information is submitted by the BRC.
The certificates will be issued by Ecolab in electronic format (PDF).
13. I have lost my copy the BRC standard I was issued in class. How do I get another one?
A. You can order another hard or electronic copy of the standard directly from the BRC in the
United Kingdom (www.brcglobalstandards.com ). Contact foodsafety@ecolab.com in the
event we have extra copies we can sell to you at cost plus shipping.
14. Are there professional development requirements for BRC staff?
A. There are no professional development requirements set by the BRC for staff engaged in
implementing and maintaining BRC systems. Your company may have its own
requirements. You may wish to take the BRC training course in the future as the BRC
Global Standard for Food Safety is updated.
15. I heard the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety was recently updated. Has Ecolabs training
course been updated to reflect this?
A. The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety has been updated and been submitted to the
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for re-benchmarking. The new issue of the Standard
(issue 6) will go into effect on January 1, 2012. Ecolabs training course was issued to them
by the BRC and it reflects the new issue of the standard (issue 6).

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FAQs - BRC
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Owner:
Mgr., FSE&T
Authorized by: Mgr., FSE&T
Date Effective: Nov. 8, 2012

16. How long do I need to wait from the time we implement BRC and we have our initial certification
audit?
A. Implementing a management system takes more than just writing policies and procedures.
You will need to take steps to ensure your system is fully implemented, your staff is trained
and fully aware of the requirements and expectations and you have sufficient records as
evidence to prove your system is in place. It is generally accepted that three (3) months of
implementation will generate sufficient records to support implementation and allow for at
least a partial Management Review and Internal Audit.
17. Does Ecolab offer training on any other GFSI-recognized programs?
A. Yes. Ecolab offers training on SQF, the BRC Food Standard (issue 6) and the FSSC 22000
programs as well as training applicable to all of these programs such as HACCP, Sanitation
and Internal Auditor. Please consult our training calendar
(www.regonline.com/CalendarNET/EventCalendar.aspx?EventID=920486&view=Month )
for further training options.
18. Does Ecolab offer training courses on the GFSI recognized food safety management systems
(HACCP, SQF, BRC, etc.) in other countries?
A. No. Ecolab does not currently offer SQF, FSSC or BRC training in other countries. Check
with the standard owners to see if there are recognized/licensed providers in other
countries.
19. Does Ecolab offer training (HACCP, SQF, BRC or FSSC) in languages other than English?
A. Yes. Ecolab currently offers HACCP, SQF and BRC Food training in Spanish. We are
working hard to expand our training portfolio to include other courses in Spanish as well as
branching out into other languages. Please contact foodsafety@ecolab.com for a proposal
to teach a Spanish-language course at your site.
20. Does Ecolab teach sanitation courses?
A. Yes. Ecolab teaches a 1 day sanitation short-courses currently geared to nut processors
and shellers and other dry processing environments as well as a four day Food Safety
Sanitation Workshop (www.ecolab.com/initiatives/foodplantoperations/TSS/default.asp)
Contact us at foodsafety@ecolab.com for further details.
21. Once I take a class, does Ecolab provide further support?
A. Yes. Ecolab offers preassessment/mock audit services which can help you prepare for your
certification or re-certification audit. Please contact foodsafety@ecolab.com and we would
be delighted to provide you with a proposal for this service. Ecolab also provides monthly
newsletters featuring Frequently Asked Questions. These will be sent to the e-mail address
we have on-file. ~ 10 months of back issues are posted on our website
(www.ecolab.com/solutions/ecosure/training-for-food-processors/get-answers-to-faqs).
Online Registration Site-Specific
22. What is the cost of each class?
A. The cost of each class can be found on the individual registration page for the class.

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Issue: 1

FAQs - BRC
Revision: 1

Owner:
Mgr., FSE&T
Authorized by: Mgr., FSE&T
Date Effective: Nov. 8, 2012

23. What is the class capacity for Ecolabs training courses?

A. Course capacity is typically limited to 25 participants. BRC courses are capped at 12.
24. Is there travel information provided for each class?
A. Yes. The address of the training center, airport and local lodging information is provided on
the registration website for each class.
25. When will my payment be processed and how can I get proof of payment for a class?
A. Payments, including credit cards will be processed shortly following the completion of the
class. You will receive an e-mail confirmation at that time. If you paid by credit card the
confirmation e-mail will have a link to your proof of payment.
26. What is Ecolabs refund policy regarding training courses?
A. Ecolabs refund policy is posted on the confirmation page of our registration website. You
will receive a copy of this policy with your initial registration acknowledgement.
27. Does Ecolab offer training courses at a clients site and what is the cost?
A. Yes. Please contact foodsafety@ecolab.com and let us know what course(s) and an
approximate timeline and we would be delighted to send you a proposal for this activity.

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