In case you missed it, on December 20, 2024, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) released their revised Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) version 2024. Given these changes, the Certification Program Owners (CPOs) like SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, have been busy assessing these changes, working with their stakeholders for feedback, and updating their certification audit standards. The CPOs have until September 5, 2025, to apply to be recognized against these new requirements.   

In anticipation of these new/revised requirements, it is useful to look at a few key changes in advance to help your organization be better prepared. Then we’ll examine how you can prepare for and implement the changes. 

Key Changes to GFSI Benchmarking Requirements

• Global Harmonization: BMRs version 2024 are fully aligned with the latest Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene and ISO 22003 and ensures consistency with international food safety standards. Callouts include:
  • “A competent multidisciplinary team shall assess the hygienic design and risk assessment of new and existing buildings/equipment, including upgrade or improvements.” 
  • “The hygienic design and suitability of new and existing buildings and equipment shall be assessed throughout their life cycle from the design concept, through construction, purchasing and during use, until the end of their intended life.”
  • “There shall be commitment from senior management for implementation of an effective Hazard and Risk Management System (HACCP system).”

• Emphasis on Food Safety Culture: Integration of food safety principles into daily operations is prioritized, requiring senior management commitment and a structured assessment plan to identify areas of improvement to drive positive employee behavior.  This assessment plan elements include:
  • Communication tools
  • Staff training
  • Feedback from employees
  • Performance measurements on food safety related activities

• Change Management: A documented change management procedure shall be established, with an emphasis on changes that could impact food safety. An established change control process ensures that the organization is equipped to ensure food safety during temporary, emergency and unplanned changes.  

• Guidelines for Multi-Site Operations: Clearer definitions and processes help facilitate certification for multi-site organizations. A few examples of these updates include:

• “All sites included in the scope of certification of a multi-site organization shall operate under the same Food Safety Management System and under the control of a central function.”
  • “An internal audit program based on the site and risk profile shall be in place and undertaken by the central function at lease annually”
  • “Internal auditors shall be assigned by the central function that are independent to the sites to ensure impartiality.”
  • “The Certification Program Owner shall have a system in place for the Certification Bodies to define a risk-based sampling program that includes a minimum sample size determined by the Certification Program Owner.”

Additionally, GFSI introduced new Benchmarking Process Handbook and Implementation Handbook to provide detailed guidance on demonstrating alignment with the BMRs for Certification Program Owners. 

Action Items to Maintain GFSI Compliance

 As noted, the key changes highlighted are just a few of the changes represented in the BMR version 2024. Below is a list of actions you can take now to ensure your organization is better prepared for these changes. For some organizations, this will be familiar territory. But others will benefit from the assistance of GFSI and FSQA consultants that are extremely well-versed in the process, implementation, and documentation. 

Here’s what needs to be done. 

• Go to Global Collaboration, Enhanced Food Safety: The Benchmarking Requirements 2024 Unveiled – MyGFSI, download the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024 and review the entiredocument to assess the potential impact to your organization’s food safety management program.
• Monitor your Certification Program Owner to determine their proposed changes to their certification audit requirements to align with the BMR version 2024.
• Clearly understand when your CPO will require their revised audit requirements to be effective.
• Conduct a gap assessment of the proposed audit changes against your current food safety management program elements and determine the resources required for your own program revisions and updates.  
• Seek clarification from your CPO, auditor, consultant, etc. if further guidance is needed to help you prepare for these changes.  

For those organizations that are accustomed to these periodic audit requirement updates, the change management will be easily managed. For those organizations new to audit requirement changes, building awareness of these upcoming changes and creating a resource team – both internal and external resources – will be important for future audit compliance. The good news is that you have time now to prepare!

With the help from Intertek Alchemy Consulting, you can confidently tackle these upcoming changes. Our team of experts specializes in simplifying the complexities of audit requirements, providing the tools, insights, and guidance your organization needs to adapt seamlessly. From creating a tailored action plan to offering ongoing support, we’ll help you transform these updates into an opportunity to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.