Quality Certification
Food safety and quality certifications are essential for market access, retail approval, export eligibility, and consumer trust. Across the UAE, GCC, and global markets, certified suppliers are increasingly required. Standards such as BRCGS, IFS, HACCP, and GMP demonstrate strong food safety controls and manufacturing excellence, while regional schemes like ECAS, EQM, EIAC, RoHS address specific UAE and GCC regulatory requirements.
Achieving certification involves detailed documentation, facility upgrades, staff training, system implementation, and external audits — often complex for organizations managing multiple standards. Our Dubai-based consultants provide end-to-end guidance from gap analysis to audit readiness and ongoing compliance, ensuring a smooth and efficient certification consultation journey.
BRCGS Food Safety
GFSI Recognised
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BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (BRCGS) — the world's leading food safety certification recognised by retailers globally. Essential for supplying UK and international supermarkets.
GMP
Regulatory Requirement
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Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) — ensures manufacturing facilities meet hygiene, sanitation, and quality standards. Required for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic manufacturing in UAE and globally.
IFS Food
GFSI Recognised
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International Featured Standards Food (IFS)— developed by German, French, and Italian retailers. Essential for EU market access, particularly for own-label products.
HACCP
Foundation Standard
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Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) — systematic preventive approach to food safety. Foundation of all food safety management systems and prerequisite for BRCGS/IFS.
ECAS
UAE National Scheme
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Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) — Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) conformity assessment for products sold in UAE including food contact materials and regulated products.
EQM
UAE Quality Certification
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Emirates Quality Mark (EQM)—UAE national quality mark demonstrating products meet Emirate standards. Voluntary certification that enhances product credibility in UAE market.
EIAC
Accreditation Body
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Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) — Now part of ESMA, provides accreditation for certification bodies, testing laboratories, and inspection bodies operating in UAE. Ensures competence of organisations providing certification services.
RoHS
Compliance Requirement
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Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) — A regulatory requirement that restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, ensuring environmental safety and compliance for manufacturers and importers in regulated markets.
BRCGS Standards
1. BRCGS Food Safety
2. BRCGS Packaging & Packaging Materials
3. BRCGS Storage & Distribution
4. BRCGS Consumer Products
Latest Issue / Version
Issue 9 (2022)
Issue 6 (2020)
Issue 4 (2022)
Issue 6 (2021)
Our Certification Consulting Process
FAQs
Q1: Which food safety certification should a UAE or GCC food business pursue first?
Start with HACCP (2–4 months) as it’s the foundation for all other certifications, combined with GMP which is mandatory for Dubai Municipality and SFDA approvals. Once established, add retailer-specific certifications: IFS Food for European retailers or BRCGS for UK and global markets. A phased approach — HACCP + GMP in Year 1, BRCGS or IFS in Year 2 — builds capability systematically without overwhelming your team.
Q2: What is the difference between BRCGS and IFS food safety certifications?
Both are GFSI-recognised global standards but target different markets. BRCGS is essential for supplying UK, US, and international supermarkets. IFS was developed by German, French, and Italian retailers and is required for European own-label retail supply chains. Many exporters targeting both markets ultimately achieve both certifications.
Q3: What happens if a business fails a BRCGS or IFS certification audit?
For BRCGS, Grades AA and A are passes; Grade B requires corrective actions within 28 days; Grades C and D are failures requiring a full re-audit after 6 months. For IFS, anything below Basic Level is a fail requiring re-audit. Common failure reasons include poor documentation, weak traceability, insufficient staff training, and unmonitored critical control points. Failed audits mean re-audit fees, lost market access, and damaged customer confidence — making proper preparation far more cost-effective.
Q4: Are HACCP and BRCGS certifications recognised in the UAE and GCC?
Yes. BRCGS and IFS are globally recognised and accepted across UAE and GCC supply chains. HACCP is universally accepted by Dubai Municipality, SFDA Saudi Arabia, and international authorities. For maximum global recognition, always use a certification body accredited by an IAF member such as UKAS (UK), ANAB (USA), or EIAC/ESMA (UAE).
Q5: Why are food safety certifications important for food businesses?
Food safety certifications are essential for market access, regulatory compliance and consumer protection. In the UAE and GCC, certifications like HACCP and GMP are mandatory requirements for Dubai Municipality and SFDA approvals, while globally recognised standards like BRCGS and IFS are non-negotiable conditions of supply for major retailers in the UK, EU, and US markets. Beyond compliance, certification ensures systematic control of food safety hazards, protecting consumers, preventing costly recalls and demonstrating operational maturity to buyers, partners and investors. For any food business looking to grow locally or expand internationally, food safety certification is not just a legal requirement, it is a fundamental commercial necessity.
