Buyers evaluating cashew suppliers frequently see "BRC certified" on a company profile. Fewer ask the follow-up question that actually matters: what grade, and announced or unannounced?
The difference is not cosmetic. BRCGS grades directly determine which retailers a manufacturer can supply, and increasingly which private label programs they qualify for.
📊 The grading scaleHow BRCGS Grades Are Actually Determined
BRCGS grades run from AA (highest) through A, B, C, D, to Uncertified. The grade is determined objectively by the number and severity of non-conformities raised during the audit — not by auditor discretion.
| Grade | Criteria | Commercial implication |
|---|---|---|
| AA | No more than 5 minor non-conformities | Accepted by essentially all major retailers; strongest position for private label |
| A | 6–10 minor non-conformities | Accepted by most major retailers; standard requirement for many EU/UK programs |
| B | 11–16 minors, or 1 major + up to 10 minors | Accepted by some buyers for supplier approval, but often excluded from private label work |
| C | 17–24 minors, or 1 major + up to 16 minors | Audit cycle shortens to 6 months; commercial access significantly restricted |
| D | 25–30 minors, or higher major combinations | Follow-up audit required within 28 days; most retail buyers will not proceed |
| Uncertified | Any critical non-conformity, or 3+ majors | Certification failure |
A critical detail most buyers do not know: a single major non-conformity against any of the 12 fundamental clauses results in non-certification regardless of overall performance in every other area. The fundamental clauses are not weighted the same as ordinary requirements.
Why AA+ Means More Than AA
A "+" after the grade indicates the site underwent an unannounced audit — the auditor arrived without a scheduled date, and the site had to be compliant on an ordinary production day rather than a prepared one.
This is why some buyers explicitly prefer a B+ (unannounced) over an A (announced). The unannounced grade reflects normal operations; the announced grade reflects prepared operations. For a buyer whose brand sits on the product, normal operations are what actually matter.
❓ What buyers should askThe Right BRC Questions To Ask A Supplier
The certificate tells you a grade. The audit report tells you what was actually found and how it was addressed. A supplier willing to share the report is demonstrating a different level of confidence than one who will only send the certificate.
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