The GMP FEFCO - International Good Manufacturing Practice Standard For Corrugated & Solid Board is a technical standard issued by FEFCO & ESBO, the Federation of European Corrugated Board Manufacturers.

The standard is specifically devoted to the cardboard packaging producers, covering areas of quality, hygiene and product safety.

The BRC IOP Standard provides guidance primarily for the producers of packaging materials, but also for similar products in contact with food, such as disposable cutlery, aluminium foil, and plastic drinking cups.

The GMP FEFCO is specifically devoted to cardboard packaging producers. These are comprehensive standards covering areas of hygiene and product safety throughout the packaging industry.

Food packaging producers are fully involved in the food chain, and can deeply influence food safety. A specific technical perspective is provided by these standards, enabling the producers to take responsibility by putting in place a widely recognised food safety management system. The standards address part of the “due diligence” requirements of the packaging manufacturer, packer/filler, and retailer.

What are the BRC IOP and the GMP FEFCO standards?
All materials that come in contact with food, especially the food packaging, can influence food safety; both by failing to protect the food properly and through contamination. The BRC IOP standard developed by the British Retailers and the GMP FEFCO standard developed by the European cardboard producers address the requirements to guarantee food safety by applying the HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) principles specific to this sector of the food industry.

The BRC IOP Standard requires:

• The adoption of a formal Hazard Analysis System
  
  
• A documented Management System
  
  
• The control of factory standards, products, processes, and personnel

The GMP FEFCO International Standard is based on the assumption that no “Critical Control Point” exists for the cardboard specific production process, because all risks are adequately controlled by GMPs. A general “hazard inventory” for the individual production plants and a consistent GMP set are provided.

Where do I go from here?
The first step is to get on the road to certification.