Markem-Imaje has been awarded BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) Grade AA Packaging Materials certification, making it the first coding company in Europe to achieve such a grade.
BRC is a global supply chain assessment body. The company was founded in 1996 by retailers who wanted to harmonise food safety standards across the supply chain. Today, it is globally recognised across both food and non-food categories and operates a rigorous third-party certification scheme. BRCGS is designed to reassure consumers that products are safe, legally compliant, and of high quality. The certification is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), assisting food producers worldwide in increasing consumer and partner trust in and through the entire supply chain.
Last year, Markem-Imaje received its first BRCGS certification – Grade A Packaging Materials – also a market segment first within Europe.
BRCGS Grade AA Packaging Materials certification has now been granted to Markem-Imaje for its continuous inkjet (CIJ) ink manufacturing site in Bourg-Lès-Valence, France. The certification was issued in early November 2023 for two major processes performed at the Bourg-Lès-Valence site: inks and additives for inkjet printers for coding and marking with direct or indirect food contact; and inks and additives for marking on primary and secondary packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and other markets.
Mark Rapposelli, vice president of product development and engineering at Markem-Imaje, said, ‘The BRC standard is one of most ambitious certifications applicable to marking and coding ink production and demonstrates the commitment of Markem-Imaje to innovating and satisfying both increasing demand by customers and consumers for the highest levels of food safety and compliance.
‘Markem-Imaje serves many leading FMCG brands and we constantly listen to market demands and innovate in anticipation of them. We are very proud of this certification and it is a clear demonstration of the hard work and commitment of our Bourg-Lès-Valence team to implement the highest standards market-wide. We now intend to implement this at all our ink manufacturing sites.’
The Packaging Materials Global Standard was the first to be recognized by the GFSI and has become the global industry benchmark, not only used by food packaging producers but also by producers of packaging for all applications, across the supply chain.
The BRCGS provides a robust framework for manufacturers guarantee product quality meeting customers’ requirements, while maintaining legal compliance and is based on processes used by quality management systems which are supported by a hazard and risk assessment analysis approach (HACCP) and the implementation of hygiene requirements. BRCGS is now recognized by many brand owners, retailers, food service companies and manufacturers around the world when assessing the capabilities of their suppliers, and, in response to its demand, the standard has been translated into many languages to facilitate worldwide implementation.
