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The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is excited to announce the much anticipated release of its revised Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) version 2024. This significant milestone represents a commitment to enhancing food safety programmes worldwide and safeguarding consumer health.
Aligned with Codex Alimentarius and ISO 22003, these science-based requirements enable a common understanding and mutual trust in the food supply chain ultimately meaning better assurances and outcomes for consumers.
Download the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024
Key Changes in the BMRs v2024
The BMRs v2024 have been significantly enhanced to align with the latest international standards and industry best practices. Key changes include:
- Global Harmonisation: The BMRs v2024 are fully aligned with the latest updates of Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene and ISO 22003, ensuring consistency with international food safety standards.
- A Streamlined Benchmarking Process: The GFSI Benchmarking Process has been optimised to improve efficiency and effectiveness, with clarification and simplification of eligibility criteria, timelines, and escalation procedures.
- Prioritising Food Safety Culture: Food safety culture has been more firmly embedded in Food Safety Management Programmes to ensure the integration of food safety principles into daily operations.
- Tailored Processes for Multi-Site Operations: The BMRs v2024 provide clearer guidelines for certifying multi-site organisations.
Need a more detailed look at what has changed between version 2020.1 and GFSI’s updated 2024 version of the Benchmarking Requirements? Click here for a summary of Key Changes Version 2020.1 to Version 2024.
A Brand New Development
In direct response to GFSI-recognised CPO feedback, GFSI has developed an all-new Benchmarking Process Handbook and Benchmarking Implementation Handbook to provide clear guidance on how to demonstrate alignment with the BMRs.
United for Food Safety: A Collaborative Journey
The development of the BMRs v2024 involved extensive consultation and collaboration with a broad array of stakeholders including international organisations, accreditation bodies, governments and academia. This collective effort has resulted in what GFSI believes is a comprehensive and practical set of requirements that will benefit the entire food supply chain.
Starting in October 2022, GFSI’s Technical Subcommittee initiated essential preparation work under the former Stakeholder Advisory Forum Working Group to begin the process of developing a new version of the GFSI BMRs.
Throughout 2024, GFSI’s Benchmarking and Harmonisation Working Group, composed of retail, manufacturing and food service companies, as well as certification bodies and GFSI-recognised CPOs, then worked to develop new BMRs that align with the latest industry standards and insights.
From July to September 2024, GFSI opened a public consultation on the revised BMRs that gathered 2500+ comments which were then analysed and incorporated in the final version of the BMRs v2024. The detailed results of the consultation can be read here.
Thank you!
We are seizing this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all those who have made this new version possible, from GFSI’s Technical Subcommittee to the entire GFSI Steering Committee, from GFSI Local Groups, to all the experts who commented during the consultation, with a special thanks to the members of the Benchmarking and Harmonisation Working Group who spent long hours in multiple time zones, ably led by Leda Touliatou of Nestlé and Andrew Clarke from Loblaw Companies Limited, working tirelessly to develop the BMRs v2024.
The Future of Food Safety is Now
Starting January 6, 2025, Certification Programme Owners can begin the process of seeking recognition against the new BMRs v2024.
For those seeking recognition for the first time, which GFSI actively encourages, they may apply at any time.
Programmes currently recognised under the 2020.1 version may apply at any time, but have a maximum 9-month window (before September 5, 2025) to apply to be recognised against the new requirements.
During this transition period, currently recognised programmes continue to be recognised, and the ongoing actions regarding the monitoring of continuous alignment with the previous version (2020.1) of the BMRs will carry on.
Download the BMRs v2024 to get started
A Shared Vision
GFSI is providing a further opportunity for interested stakeholders to join the Benchmarking and Harmonisation Working Group (BHWG).
We’re seeking individuals with extensive experience in food safety management and a solid understanding of GFSI-recognised certification programs. As a member of this group, you’ll collaborate with industry experts, certification bodies, and program owners to develop and implement the next generation of GFSI Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs).
More information on how to apply will be forthcoming in the new year.
About the Global Food Safety Initiative
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) brings together key actors of the food industry to collaboratively drive continuous improvement in food safety management systems around the world.
With a vision of safe food for consumers everywhere, food industry leaders created GFSI in 2000 to find collaborative solutions to collective concerns, notably to reduce food safety risks, audit duplication and costs while building trust throughout the supply chain.
GFSI is powered by The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), a global industry network working to support Better Lives Through Better Business.
Press contact: Kenya Tillerson
