ZMW Kaminiarz received its first IFS and BRC certificates for conformity to both standards already in 2011. It was among the first domestic plants that implemented both standards in parallel, which resulted from its broad export activity in bacon sales both to the continental Europe and the United Kingdom. Ever since, the plant in Święciechowa was subject to annual evaluations of its conformity to standards. The last audit was carried out at the end of last year. The company has just received the certificates that confirm formally the compliance with both systems
- Safety in a food plant means responsibility towards consumers and for their health - says Tomasz Przymencki, Production Director at ZMW Kaminiarz - this also the foundation of all companies in this sector. Therefore, I am happy that we have received top scores again. With respect to IFS, this assessment is on the ‘Higher Level’ with score at 99.71%, and in the BRC certificate we achieved grade AA.
The International Food Standard was created in 2003 by the German Retail Association (HDE) for products sold to German retail chains. IFS provides security in the whole food industry production chain. It is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is among the most important global standards of food safety and quality today. Version 6 of the standard was launched in 2012.
On the other hand, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) standard was developed in the United Kingdom in 1998 by the British Retail Consortium. It determines safety and quality standards for food producers that supply domestic supermarket chains. Version 7 of the standard was introduced in 2015 and takes account of additional requirements within labelling and packaging controls as well as raw material and packaging management.
Direct benefits that stem from holding certificates involve the confirmation of the high quality of safety standards, greater trust of consumers, counterparties, and controlling entities as well as opening up opportunities of cooperation with most reputable clients, including internal retail chains.
- We export bacon to clients from the European Union, mostly the Western Europe and Nordic Countries. Our clients include the HoReCa channel, large retail chains, and producers of ready meals and poultry plants - said Tomasz Przymencki, Production Director at ZMW Kaminiarz. - Although in many cases we need to fulfil additional custom-made requirements, the IFRS and BRC standards are always the basis for commencing any negotiations and continuing supplies. Therefore, their importance is fundamental.
The certifying entity was SGS, the global leader in controlling, verification, testing, and certification.
