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Quality & Standards

Food Quality Standards in Export Supply Chains: BRC, IFS and ISO 22000

What the major food safety management frameworks cover, and how buyers should interpret certification scope in an export context.

Published:
Updated:
Author:
Trading Pioneers Export Team
Reading time:
7 min read

Three frameworks, three scopes

BRC, IFS and ISO 22000 are the frameworks most frequently referenced in international food trade. Each defines requirements for food safety management, but each applies to a specific certified site and scope.

Trading Pioneers has experience with food quality management systems and standards including BRC, IFS and ISO 22000.

Certification applies to a site, not to a company slogan

A certificate covers a defined facility, product scope and validity period. It does not automatically extend to every product a trading company handles.

Buyers should always ask which site holds the certificate and what product scope it covers.

What to agree before shipment

Write down the product specification, the inspection method and the documentation set required for the destination market.

This makes quality objective rather than a matter of interpretation after arrival.

Frequently asked questions

We have experience with these food quality management systems and standards. Certification scope for a specific product or supplier is confirmed per order with our export team.