GFSI certification audits: Best practices for SQF & BRCGS

Understanding SQF and BRCGS: what's different

Both SQF and BRCGS are GFSI-recognized certifications, and audits against either one fall under the broader umbrella of GFSI audit certification, according to a certification program recognized by GFSI by an accredited certification body, which means that they're benchmarked against the same basic framework, but they aren't identical. SQF places heavy emphasis on management systems and the structure that supports daily food safety decisions, while BRCGS also weighs product quality and legal compliance more directly into its scoring. Knowing which standard you're being certified against, and where its main emphasis sits, helps you focus your preparation on the areas that matter most for your audit rather than spreading your effort evenly across everything.

It's also important to know that both standards are changing. SQF Edition 10 was published in March 2026, and it introduced a revised scoring model and a mandatory food safety culture assessment, but audits against it aren't expected before January 2027, and Edition 9 is still active for now. For a full breakdown, see our guide to SQF Edition 10. BRCGS Issue 9 is also still the standard being certified against, but BRCGS has published some updated position statements that take effect for audits conducted from August 10, 2026, covering certain areas that include risk analysis, prerequisite programmes, and food defence. BRCGS has additionally begun work on Issue 10, though no publication date has been officially confirmed yet. Facilities preparing for GFSI audit certification under either standard should check for updates like these to avoid assuming that last year's checklist still applies, when it may not.

Best practices to prepare for GFSI audit certification

1. Understand the standards

   Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements that apply to your certification, not just the general idea of what SQF or BRCGS covers, since GFSI audit certification are scored against the specific clauses that apply, and not a general impression of compliance. Reading the actual clauses that apply to your scope, rather than relying on secondhand summaries, helps you catch the important details that matter during the audit itself.
   
   

2. Keep documentation organized and accessible

   Organized, accurate documentation is one of the best signs of audit readiness. Keep clear records for your HACCP plan, cleaning schedules, training logs, and supplier verification, and make sure that they're stored somewhere that's easy to search. Digital tools that centralize this information help to reduce errors and make the retrieval fast during the audit, rather than searching through paper files to find a record while an auditor waits.
   
   

3. Run regular internal audits

   Internal audits are one of the best ways to catch and fix issues before an official audit finds them first. Focus your internal reviews on any areas that tend to draw the most scrutiny, such as critical control points, traceability, and corrective actions. When you find a weakness, address it immediately and document what changed, since that record is what shows an auditor that your team is proactive rather than reactive about food safety.
   
   

4. Train your team and keep them engaged

   Audit success depends on more than the just documentation that you have on file. It depends on whether your team can actually speak to it. Regular training helps employees understand their role in maintaining compliance, and the employees that feel confident answering an auditor's questions, and explaining the steps they take on a daily basis, make a much stronger impression than a perfectly organized binder ever could.
   
   

5. Strengthen traceability and supplier management

   A strong traceability system is important for both SQF and BRCGS compliance. Make sure that you can track your raw materials and finished products throughout the supply chain, and that your supplier verification program is current. A reliable program is proof that you're sourcing ingredients that meet your own safety standards, and not just accepting shipments without verification.

Common mistakes that undermine audit readiness

Even well-intentioned teams run into some of the same recurring problems:

• Treating audit preparation as a once-a-year effort.
  Facilities that only revisit their documentation and training a few weeks before the audit tend to find more gaps, not fewer, because issues that developed months earlier went unnoticed.

• Incomplete corrective action records.
  An auditor doesn't just want to see that a problem was found, they want to see what was done about it and whether it worked.

• Weak communication between shifts.
  When practices differ depending on who's working, it shows up quickly during interviews, even if the documentation looks consistent.

• Working from outdated standard versions.
  With both SQF and BRCGS in active transition periods, teams that don't check for the latest position statements or updated guidance risk preparing against requirements that have already changed.

Why GFSI audit certifications can be important for your site

Certification under a GFSI-recognized standard creates access to markets and retailers that require it, and it shows your customers and partners that food safety isn't just an afterthought at your facility. Beyond the certificate itself, the audit process tends to lead to real operational improvement, since preparing properly usually brings up issues that need of fixing, certification or not.

How Datahex can help

At Datahex, we offer practical support for GFSI audit preparation, from organizing documentation to tracking compliance in the lead-up to your audit. Our Paperless Forms platform keeps records centralized and searchable, and MyHaccpPlan helps you build and maintain a food safety plan that stays aligned with SQF and BRCGS requirements as they evolve. If you're preparing for an upcoming audit, talk to an expert about how we can help you get ready.