GFSI Releases Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024

Image credit: The Consumer Goods Forum's Global Food Safety Initiative

The Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has released its revised Benchmarking Requirements, version 2024 (BMRs v2024).

A full summary of key changes from BMRs v2020.1 to BMRs v2024 can be accessed here. These changes feature:

Global Harmonization: The BMRs v2024 are fully aligned with the latest updates of Codex Alimentarius 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 optimized to improve efficiency and effectiveness, with clarification and simplification of eligibility criteria, timelines, and escalation procedures
Prioritizing Food Safety Culture: Food safety culture has been more firmly embedded in Food Safety Management Programs 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 organizations.

In addition to the release of the BMRs v2024, GFSI published a new Benchmarking Process Handbook and Benchmarking Implementation Handbook to provide clear guidance on how to demonstrate alignment with the BMRs.

The development of the BMRs v2024 involved consultation and collaboration with a range of global stakeholders, beginning in October 2022 when GFSI’s Technical Subcommittee initiated essential preparation work under the former Stakeholder Advisory Forum Working Group. Throughout 2024, GFSI’s Benchmarking and Harmonization Working Group 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 more than 2,500 comments (summarized here) to inform the final BMRs v2024.

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The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Director of Content Strategy and news editor ✉, and Adrienne Blume, M.A., Director of Editorial and Industry Engagement.