Your Guide to the BRCGS 2026 Position Statements for Storage and Distribution

BRCGS regularly publishes position statements to clarify how clauses within its Global Standards should be interpreted and applied.

Since the beginning of 2026, several new position statements have been released for sites certificated to the BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution Issue 4.

In this guide, we take a closer look at three key changes, before providing a summary of the remaining 2026 position statements.

Position Statement 17: Equipment Storage

Clause 6.1 has been amended to state that equipment must be used “and stored to” minimise the risk of damage or contamination. While this may appear to be a small amendment, it places greater emphasis on how equipment is treated between use, not simply how it is designed or maintained.

According to the update, equipment should be stored in a way that prevents it from becoming a source of contamination or harbouring pests. The position statement also highlights the importance of keeping movable equipment within designated areas.

Food production equipment stored to meet BRCGS Storage and Distribution requirements
Shadow board storing colour-coded cleaning equipment for BRCGS compliance

Securing Compliance with Shadow Boards

For sites reviewing how their equipment is stored, shadow boards offer a practical way to meet this requirement. By giving each tool a dedicated home, shadow boards keep items off the floor, separated from one another, and stored in a clean, hygienic manner.

Shadow boards can also be colour-coded or customised with bespoke headings to support existing segregation systems.

Finally, bringing equipment storage into highly visible locations makes it easier to identify missing or damaged utensils during routine inspections, before they create a larger issue.

Find out more about Shadow Board Storage Solutions

Position Statement 18: Cleaning Equipment

Clause 6.4.5 has been updated to clarify the requirements for cleaning equipment, it must now be:

  • hygienically designed and fit for purpose
  • suitably identified for its intended use, for example through colour-coding or labelling
  • cleaned and stored in a hygienic manner to prevent contamination

As discussed in the previous section, dedicated shadow boards support the safe and hygienic storage of cleaning equipment.

The revised clause also places greater emphasis on equipment design and clear identification.

Colour-coded cleaning equipment stored hygienically to meet BRCGS clause 6.4.5

Securing Compliance with Colour-Coded Equipment

Colour-coding is a simple yet effective way to ensure equipment is clearly identifiable and segregated by area or task, helping to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. A wide range of hygienically designed cleaning and production equipment is available in different colours, making it easy to implement a colour-coding system tailored to the specific requirements of your site.

Another option to consider is Indelimarking, a laser-engraving technique that permanently marks equipment without creating crevices or harbourage points where contaminants can build. Unlike printed or adhesive labels, Indelimarking will not fade or lift over time, providing a durable and hygienic method of equipment identification.

Find out more about Colour-Coded Equipment

Position Statement 20: Process Monitoring

Clause 17.3 has been amended to clarify that processes must be monitored using appropriate process parameters. These parameters should be recorded using suitable monitoring equipment linked to an automatic alarm system or, if automatic monitoring is not available, through documented manual checks.

The update makes it clear that alarm settings must be appropriate for the process being monitored and that monitoring records must be retained for a minimum of the product shelf life plus one year, as they may be required to support a due diligence defence.

Where manual monitoring is used, checks must continue during non-working periods, including weekends and public holidays. The frequency of these checks should be determined by the product’s sensitivity to temperature variation and the associated risks.

Real-time temperature and process monitoring system for food storage and distribution sites

Securing Compliance with a Real-Time Monitoring System

Real-time monitoring systems are well suited to meeting this requirement, particularly for sites managing multiple areas that are temperature-controlled.

The WatchmanOne Real-Time Monitoring System tracks key parameters, including temperature, humidity, and door contact, and sends automatic alerts by SMS or email to pre-selected contacts if a reading falls outside the expected range.

This kind of continuous monitoring reduces reliance on manual checks and helps to ensure records are complete and easy to access should they be needed for an audit. It also resolves the issue of monitoring processes during non-working periods.

Find out more about the WatchmanOne Real-Time Monitoring System

Overview of the remaining 2026 Position Statements

Position Statement 12 – Clause 1.3.2: Personnel responsibilities

Personnel must understand their responsibilities, be able to demonstrate that their work follows documented site procedures, and must have access to the relevant documentation.

Position Statement 13 – Clause 2.1: Prerequisite programmes

Prerequisite programmes must be established, documented and verified where appropriate before HARA or HACCP risk analysis is carried out, and included in the development and review of the plan.

Position Statement 14 – Clauses 3.5.1.2 and 3.5.2.1: Suppliers and subcontractors

Specifications or contracts must clearly define the service being provided, along with relevant product-safety, quality, legality, handling and technical requirements.

Position Statement 15 – Clause 3.5.3.1: Product-fraud vulnerability assessments

Personnel carrying out vulnerability assessments must have suitable knowledge of product-fraud risks and vulnerability-assessment principles.

Position Statement 16 – Clause 4.2.1: Product security and defence

Personnel undertaking threat assessments and developing product-defence plans must be appropriately competent.

Position Statement 19 – Section 17: Contract processing

Irradiation has been added to the list of contract-processing activities covered by Section 17, alongside chilling, freezing, tempering, defrosting and high-pressure processing.

The position statements referenced throughout this article will take effect for audits commencing 10th August 2026. So, now is the perfect time to review your current practices against the updated clauses, particularly around equipment design and identification, the storage of your utensils, and process monitoring.

If you have any questions about the position statements above or would like to discuss the solutions referenced throughout this article, you can contact us on 01473 461 800 or email sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, complete the contact form below.

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