In December 2019, OMNI Systems was very pleased to announce that we attained Brand Reputation Through Compliance Global Standards (BRC) certification for packaging and packaging materials. BRC certification, in turn, complies with guidelines established by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Since then, we’ve fielded a variety of questions from end users and channel partners around the globe about this certification, what it means for OMNI Systems and what specific benefits it offers our customers.
As a helpful resource, we’ve included answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received about this significant news.
Q: What is BRC certification?
A: BRC certification is a product and process certification standard which verifies compliance to industry best practices. It focuses on quality and functional aspects of packaging which complement the established requirements of food packaging plants.
Q: What is GFSI?
A: Over the past several decades, consumer trust in the safety of the food they buy, the brands they love and even the food industry at large has been steadily eroded.
GFSI was created in 2000 to help address this global issue. It is a landmark initiative of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), a global industry network working to support Better Lives Through Better Business. GFSI is charged with helping to build consumers’ trust in the food they buy – no matter where their food has come from, nor where in the world they live – by improving food safety management practices.
Today, GFSI is the universal gold standard of recognition to specific food safety audits, signifying that the certification holder operates with a structured, comprehensive and effective food safety program.
OMNI Systems’ BRC certification under GFSI guidelines was issued by AIB International, a world-renowned third-party testing organization which conducted an extensive on-site audit against standard requirements. AIB International audits and facility inspections are conducted at food processing and manufacturing sites around the world.
Q: What is the relation between BRC certification and GFSI guidelines?
A: BRC certification complies with guidelines established by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
Q: Why is OMNI Systems’ BRC certification under GFSI guidelines important for food industry companies?
A: Food industry companies invest millions of dollars annually in testing, logistics and operational solutions to ensure that their products are safe, comply with FDA and other regulations and are handled correctly. Given what’s at stake for food industry companies, the labels they use for food packaging applications must be of the absolute highest quality in order to prevent peeling, ensure safety and enable consistently accurate barcode screening from warehouses to store shelves.
While many packaging label converters may tout their products and capabilities in the food industry, certification by renowned third-party organizations truly validates excellence and adherence to the food processing industry’s most stringent quality standards. In fact, many of today’s leading food processors and grocery retailers mandate GFSI certification from their packaging suppliers. As a GFSI-certified label converter, OMNI Systems complies with that mandate—and beyond that, as the leader in price, quality and service, we make the decision to purchase from us an easy one.
Q: What OMNI Systems products are ideally suited for food industry applications?
A: In the food processing industry, direct thermal labels are an ideal solution. If you purchase direct thermal packaging labels for your food industry business, we urge you to consider BRC/GFSI-certified OMNI Systems. As North America’s leading direct thermal label supplier, OMNI Systems uses only the highest quality raw materials to create the highest quality direct thermal labels available anywhere—all at prices that will save you 15-40 percent and deliver an overall lower total cost of ownership by reducing print head wear.
Our top-coated stocks for direct thermal labels make your direct thermal food processing labels more resistant to light, scratches and other contaminates so printed images remain scannable longer.
Learn more about direct thermal labels from OMNI Systems.
Q: Besides industry-leading thermal labels, how else does OMNI Systems add value to food industry customers?
A: As the leader in price, quality and service, OMNI Systems is pleased offer a variety of value-added services to help you optimize your label spend in ways you may or may not be aware of.
OMNI Systems is comprised of labeling experts with an unrivaled understanding of the thermal media landscape. We can consult with you on audit and distribution strategies and create a solution to meet any thermal labeling need—be it food processing labels or any other label type. We consult with many of the world’s top brands on their labeling strategies—we’ll apply the same know-how and insights to your business.
Learn more about OMNI Systems’ best-in-class thermal labeling services.
We hope this blog helps you understand more about BRC certification under GFSI guidelines and how that benefits OMNI Systems customers. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how OMNI’s leadership in price, quality and service can help you save 15-40 percent on your label spend over current costs and make your job easier.
Do you have questions about OMNI Systems' GFSI certification, direct thermal labels, thermal transfer labels, water-activated tape or other labeling needs? Please contact OMNI Systems at 216-377-5160 or email sales@omnisystem.com.
