The new packaging technical standard and protocol for companies manufacturing and supplying food packaging materials for retailer branded products has been pioneered by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Institute of Packaging (IOP).

Published by The Stationery Office, the standard sets out detailed criteria that suppliers will need to meet in order to gain a certificate of inspection.

Speaking at the October 17 launch, BRC director general Bill Moyes said: 'Already widely welcomed by retailers, this standard will greatly assist both our members and food producers in the same fulfilment of their legal obligations by providing a common audit of companies' suppliers. It follows the success of our widely acclaimed BRC technical standard for companies supplying retailer branded food products launched three years ago. That standard has been highly successful both in the UK and Europe in establishing a single common standard for food manufacture. This new packaging standard is a natural extension which we all welcome.' Over 70 per cent of all packaging is supplied to the food industry.