Yes. It is a mandatory requirement.
SGS Thailand BlogApril 28, 2026
Confidential Reporting System Under BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7
A Confidential Reporting System is a key requirement of BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7, designed to promote a strong culture of quality, product safety, and regulatory compliance. It allows employees to report concerns safely and anonymously without fear of retaliation.
What is a Confidential Reporting System?
A Confidential Reporting System provides channels for employees or relevant parties to report concerns related to:
- Product quality
- Product safety
- Contamination or adulteration
- Legal or regulatory non‑compliance
Reports can be submitted anonymously and are used for corrective and preventive actions.
BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7 Requirements
Organizations must ensure:
- Formal confidential reporting methods are defined
- Reporting channels are clearly communicated
- Reports are reviewed at defined intervals
- Issues are analyzed with corrective and preventive actions
- Outcomes are included in management review
Guidelines for Implementing a Confidential Reporting System in Line with BRCGS
- Establish Confidential Reporting Channels
Top management shall define accessible and confidential reporting channels, such as:
- QR codes for reporting issues
- Online systems or reporting programs
- Anonymous reporting boxes
- Communicate Clearly with Employees
Organizations must ensure that all employees understand:
- What types of issues can be reported
- How to submit a confidential report
- Assurance that there will be no retaliation against reporters
- Define the Frequency of Report Review
Management should establish a clear frequency for reviewing confidential reports, such as:
- Monthly
- Quarterly
Or whenever significant incidents occur
- Analyze Issues and Document Corrective and Preventive Actions
All reported issues shall be subject to root cause analysis, with documented:
- Corrective actions
- Preventive actions
Documents must be traceable and maintained as evidence of effective system management.
- Review in Management Review Meetings
The results of confidential reports, including corrective and preventive actions, shall be reviewed in management review meetings:
- At least once per year, or
- Whenever significant changes occur
Benefits of a Confidential Reporting System
- Strengthens accountability
- Reduces quality and safety risks
- Prevents contamination and adulteration
- Supports food and packaging safety culture
Summary
BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7 requires organizations to implement a Confidential Reporting System to enable safe reporting of quality, safety, and compliance issues and ensure continual improvement through management review.
FAQs
Improved transparency, risk reduction, and stronger safety culture.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
238 TRR Tower, 19th-21st Floor, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road,
Chong Nonsi, Yannawa, 10120,
Bangkok, Thailand