The new GFSI Benchmarking Requirements: what's now in force
Your next audit is already scored against v 2024, here's what that means for your site
From 10 August 2026, every audit conducted under a GFSI-recognized certification program is scored against the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024. The transition window has closed, whether your site holds BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000 or another recognized certification, the version now in force is v2024, not v2020.1.
Discover what's changed and what it means in practice, including:
- Food safety culture as an assessable requirement: Understand the documented culture assessment plan auditors now expect, and the four pillars it must cover.
- Hygienic design across the asset lifecycle: Learn what's required from procurement through to end of intended life for buildings and equipment.
- Change management as a standalone discipline: See how v2024 closes the gap between planned projects and unplanned, temporary or emergency changes.
- What it means for your sector: Get a breakdown of where v2024 bites hardest, whether you're a retailer, manufacturer, processor, grower or wholesaler.
What's in the eBook?
Our eBook sets out exactly what's now in force under the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2024, and what it means in practice for the people who own the next audit. You will find:
- A clear timeline of how v2024 came into force, from publication in December 2024 to mandatory enforcement on 10 August 2026.
- A breakdown of the food safety culture assessment plan requirement, including the four pillars auditors will look for and the gap between the minimum and what good looks like.
- What's changed for hygienic design, change management, food defense, food fraud and allergen management.
- A sector-by-sector view of where v2024 lands hardest, from retailers and manufacturers to growers and wholesalers.
- A practical readiness checklist you can use to self-check your site before your next audit.
Food safety culture is now an assessable requirement
Under v2020.1, food safety culture was referenced but loosely evidenced. Under v2024, it's a defined requirement with a documented plan behind it, covering communication, training, employee feedback and performance measurement. Learn what auditors will look for, and how to show a maintained plan rather than a static one.
Hygienic design across the full asset lifecycle
v2024 builds hygienic design into the hazard and risk management system itself, from procurement and construction through to end of intended life. Find out why decisions now need documented evidence at the point they're made, not reconstructed at audit.
Change management becomes a standalone discipline
A documented change management procedure is now explicit under v2024, closing a common audit gap around temporary, emergency and unplanned changes. See what's required to keep food safe when the unexpected happens.
Stronger food defense, food fraud and allergen plans
Food defense, food fraud and allergen management must now be living documents, developed, implemented, verified, maintained and reviewed on a regular cycle. Understand what's changed and what a current, audit-ready plan looks like.
What it means for your sector
The clauses apply across the supply chain, but they land differently depending on where you sit. Get a clear view of where v2024 bites hardest for retailers, manufacturers, food service, processors, growers and wholesalers.
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