BRC signs product standard deal for the US

The BRC and North America's Retail Industry-Leaders Association (RILA) have signed a major contract to create a global manufacturing standard for consumer products.

The agreement advances the retail industry's commitment to ensuring the safe and consistent quality of its products through independent certification of producers' operations against the BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products.

It also covers the training and awareness programmes that will help suppliers in their efforts to achieve certification against the Standard.

Certification is an effective and cost efficient way for retailers to establish confidence in products and reduces the burden of multiple audits for suppliers.

Previously individual retailers set and enforced their own standards.

Now major US retail names are likely to begin to require suppliers to show they are BRC certificated.

The contract will kick off with the development of a global communications strategy designed to increase awareness of the Standard in North America, Europe and the Far East.

Meetings are planned between the two organisations and others in early September to agree a three- year development plan that includes a series of visits to producing countries such as China to engage with retailers, suppliers and government officials.