BRC Global Standard for Food Safety — Issue 9
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is one of the world's leading food safety standards. Retailers, manufacturers and buyers in more than 130 countries recognise BRC certification as proof of food safety and quality assurance.
What BRC Issue 9 requires from cleaning verification
BRC Issue 9 sets clear requirements for cleaning programmes in clause 4.11. The standard requires that cleaning procedures are documented, implemented and verified.
How ATP data strengthens your BRC audit file
Quantitative evidence
RLU values are objective, numerical measurements. Unlike visual inspection they do not depend on the inspector's interpretation and are reproducible and comparable over time.
Trend analysis
novaLINK 6 generates trend charts by location, shift and operator. Auditors can see at a glance whether your cleaning programme is consistently effective.
Documentation of corrective actions
Every FAIL measurement in novaLINK 6 can be linked to a corrective action. This demonstrates that your system not only measures, but also responds to deviations.
Practical: implementing ATP monitoring for BRC
- ✓Define ATP measurement points based on product contact surfaces and risk areas (CCPs and oPRPs)
- ✓Establish initial pass/fail limits per surface type
- ✓Validate limits with parallel microbiological testing (minimum 6 measurement cycles per location)
- ✓Document the validation procedure and retain correlation data as audit evidence
- ✓Train sanitation staff in correct swabbing technique and use of the novaLUM II-X
- ✓Export monthly reports from novaLINK 6 and retain for a minimum of 12 months
ATP monitoring and IFS, FSSC 22000
In addition to BRC, IFS Food (version 8) and FSSC 22000 (version 6) also recognise ATP bioluminescence as an accepted method for cleaning verification. The Charm novaLUM II-X system with novaLINK 6 software meets the documentation requirements of all three standards.