RLS Logistics, a provider of cold chain solutions, recently received food safety certification through the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRCGS), garnering the highest AA rating for all of its five cold storage facilities and its distribution network.
BRCGS certification is an international distinction awarded to companies in the food storage and distribution industries that meet BRC Standards of best practices for quality, hygiene and product safety.
BRC is a highly regarded certification program recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). To attain certification, each facility operated by RLS Logistics underwent a third-party audit of everything from quality management and risk analysis to building standards and vehicle operations, RLS said.
“BRC is one of the most challenging certifications to earn,” said Jose Maldonado, quality, safety and compliance manager at RLS. “When you receive a certification from a renowned program like theirs, it supports client trust.
“It means you’re adhering to best practices, not just in the US, but across the globe—and that you’re adhering to the same standards as the best companies around the world.”
BRC awards certificate grades of AA (the best), A, B, C or D, depending on the number and type of nonconformities the audit reveals. RLS earned the AA grade for its distribution network, as well as its facilities in Delanco NJ, Newfield NJ, Vineland NJ, Pittston PA and Salt Lake UT.
Food Safety certifications are voluntary in some industries, and companies are allowed to choose their own certification body. As a result, many companies opt for one with less stringent audit standards. RLS says its decision to take “the hard road” highlights its leadership in food safety.
“Customers recognize our commitment to food safety,” said John Gaudet, RLS vice president of business development. “Protecting their brand is a top priority. BRC is a top-tier accreditation organization, and our philosophy has always been to be a step ahead of the industry standard.”
RLS maintains its forward stance helped it quickly implement government rules mandated to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Being BRC-certified definitely gave us a leg up,” Maldonado said. “The system already audits for hygiene or GMPs, so we already had a procedure in place. All we did was add some contingencies to make sure we followed the elements that have been discovered during the COVID the outbreak.
“The big difference was in supplies in terms of PPE and sanitation, which we had to increase to assure our people’s safety.”
Certifications and outside audits play an important role in helping manufacturers protect the public and prevent a recall that damages brand and business. With the significant role third-party logistics providers play in food manufacturers’ supply chains, companies now find themselves responsible for auditing their 3PL’s operations as well. One of the significant benefits of BRC certification is that it saves companies the time and expense of auditing service providers.
For RLS clients, Maldonado says BRC certification can turn what would otherwise be an involved process into a more passive process where customers review the confirming of the certificate, the audit report and checking the corrective action completion. By sharing our audit results and corrective actions, it reduces our customers’ needs for extensive onsite audits, resulting in less time spent onboarding new customers, Gaudet added.
Saving its customers’ time took time. Although RLS has received varying grades of BRC certification for its facilities over the past five years, this is the first time the company has received AA grades across the board, RLS said. “It’s a team effort,” Maldonado concluded. “Everyone in the organization is committed to food safety; it starts with a commitment from leadership and cascades throughout every position in every business unit.”