Lord Jones speaks at BRC global standards briefing in Beijing

Minister of State for Trade & Investment Lord Jones was the keynote speaker at a recent British Retail Consortium (BRC) supplier briefing event in China.

Digby Jones, the former Confederation of British Industry chief, spoke at the Beijing briefing on 19 November. It was the first of a series of briefings being held in four major cities in China, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, to promote the BRC’s range of global standards.

The sessions in China are being run in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou promoting the Chinese version of the BRC’s global standard for consumer products.

The rigorously audited standard enables suppliers to show retailers that they have reached, and continue to maintain, high levels of product safety. 

The BRC global standard for consumer products covers almost everything sold in shops that is not food. For example: DIY and travel goods, electronics, tools and equipment, telecommunications, homewares, white goods, furnishings and non-prescription pharmaceuticals.

The Standard is strongly supported by leading UK and International retailers who require suppliers to demonstrate compliance with the BRC Standard before they will buy products from that manufacturer.

The visit to Kuala Lumpur will be spread over two days and will also promote the consumer products standard as well as the BRC global standards for food, packaging and storage and distribution.

About the briefing sessions

These free one day events offer companies supplying major UK and international retailers the opportunity to fully understand retailers’ obligations to offer safe products to their customers and the requirements that manufacturing companies need to demonstrate to ensure they comply. Delegates learn about the principles, objectives, content and scope of the standards, learn how the certification process works and what the timeframes for certification are.

Stephen Boobyer, commercial director of BRC Trading, said: ‘We are delighted the Minister of State for Trade & Investment is backing our supplier briefings.

‘China is becoming the single most important trading partner for many British retailers. The BRC’s global standards give them the reassurance they need that they can buy the goods they are sourcing there with confidence. 

‘These briefing sessions are an important part of our plans to raise awareness and improve understanding of the BRC global standards throughout the world. That will enhance trade and deliver further benefits to customers who have already seen lower prices and more choice as a result of strong and free trade with China.’

Pictured left to right: Du Juan from certification body Moody International; Linda Crane, British Retail Consortium technical services manager; Lord Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade & Investment; Genic Hu from certification body NQA.