The August 2026 BRCGS updates have introduced a noticeable shift in how Storage & Distribution (SD) audits are conducted. While the core requirements of Issue 4 remain familiar, auditors are now placing significantly greater emphasis on operational competency. Documentation still matters, but it is no longer the primary indicator of compliance. Instead, auditors are assessing whether teams understand the controls they apply and can articulate the reasoning behind them.
Why the Focus Has Shifted
Storage & distribution has always been seen as “lower risk” than manufacturing, but the supply chain is more complex than ever. Products move through more hands, more vehicles, more temporary storage points and every touchpoint is a chance for something to go wrong.
BRCGS has picked up on this. Their latest position statements make it clear: front‑line understanding matters just as much as documented controls.
We’re seeing auditors dig deeper into:
- How teams understand PRPs
- Whether staff can explain fraud and defence risks
- How cleaning systems work in practice
- Whether specifications actually reflect product risks
- How well temporary staff are trained
This isn’t about catching people out; it’s about making sure the system works beyond the technical office.
What Auditors Are Asking on the Floor
Food fraud & food defence competency. Teams need to know what fraud looks like in an SD environment, for example, substitution, mislabelling, tampering and how to escalate concerns.
Colour‑coded cleaning equipment. Auditors want to see that staff understand why colour‑coding matters, not just that the mops are the right colour.
Contract irradiation controls. If irradiation is part of your supply chain, teams must know how it’s controlled and documented.
PRP visibility. Cleaning, pest control, allergen segregation – auditors expect staff to explain the basics confidently.
Specification accuracy. Specs must include chemical, microbiological, physical and allergen standards. “We keep them on file” isn’t enough.
This shift is pushing sites to build competent teams, not just compliant documents.
What This Means for S&D Sites
If you’re preparing for an audit, here’s the reality.
Your paperwork might be perfect, but if your warehouse team can’t explain the basics, you’ll struggle.
Sites now need:
- Clear PRP instructions that staff can recall
- Fraud and defence training that makes sense for SD
- Updated specifications that reflect real product risks
- Regular competency checks
- Cleaning systems that are simple, visible and consistent
It’s not about making things more complicated. It’s about making them understandable.
How Food Safety Assist Supports S&D Sites
At Food Safety Assist, we work with storage and distribution businesses across the UK to build systems that actually work on the floor, not just in the audit room.
We help sites with:
- Competency‑focused training for warehouse teams
- Fraud and defence workshops tailored to SD risks
- PRP documentation that’s simple and practical
- Specification reviews that close compliance gaps
- Internal audits that mirror the new auditor approach
Our goal is always the same: make compliance feel achievable, not overwhelming.
