Kingsmoor Packaging maintains BRCGS AA grade

Packaging Solutions

Leading thermoformed packaging firm, Kingsmoor Packaging, has successfully retained its AA grade having been awarded the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) issue 6 for Packaging Materials – the most up to date and demanding certification, viewed as a global benchmark of quality, safety and legality for food packaging.

Following a series of infrastructure and equipment investments last year, coupled with improvements to workflow efficiencies, the Somerset based company impressed the BRCGS certification audit team with its robust hygiene controls and product safety.

The BRCGS for Packaging Materials update to issue 6 has seen refinement on several clauses, making the standard stricter as the certification process continues to expect a higher standard of compliance from organisations. A significant emphasis has been placed on better risk management in the shape of Hazard Analysis Risk Assessment (HARA) and preventing, eliminating or reducing product quality hazards.

Of the many refinements, significant changes have included the introduction of the concept of corrective and preventive action, greater emphasis on product quality, and the importance of a product safety and quality culture. Being more than just a system to monitor cleanliness and hygiene, the standard considers the business in its entirety from enquiry, right through to delivery, as well as all of the supporting functions. It also provides a powerful framework for the production of safe food packaging products, managing the quality of the products whilst meeting customer requirements and maintaining legal compliance.

Kingsmoor Packaging underwent extensive preparation prior to the audit, which included BRCGS issue 6 awareness training for all staff, a full understanding of the requirements of the new standard, and an explanation of the benefits to the business, its employees and customers from implementation and certification to the highest grade.

Kingsmoor’s managing director, James Hill, commented: ‘We are delighted with this result, especially as the audit was to the new BRCGS Issue 6 Standard. As ever, I would like to thank our amazing team for their hard work and tenacity for making this happen, especially while we were also adapting our business to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.’

The privately owned family business, which has been designing and manufacturing bespoke and off the shelf plastic packaging for the food industry since 1990, has forged an excellent reputation for service and quality by offering a fully integrated in-house design and tooling service, combined with leading edge thermoforming machines.