Why Audit Duration Matters in BRC V9 Certification
Most companies don’t think about audit duration until they start getting quotes. Then suddenly, the question pops up:
“Why does one certification body tell us we need three audit days while another says four?”
I’ve seen this confusion many times. In my work with certification bodies, auditors, and food manufacturers preparing for BRC certification, misunderstanding audit duration is one of the most common issues that leads to budgeting surprises and frustration — especially for first-time certification.
Here’s the good news: once you understand the logic behind how man-days are calculated, the process becomes predictable.
This guide walks you through:
How audit duration is determined under BRC V9
What factors influence the number of man-days required
How to estimate your own duration using a simple logic model
How to use that estimate when requesting certification-body proposals
By the end, you’ll be able to look at quotes confidently — and understand whether the numbers make sense.
Understanding BRC V9 Audit-Duration Rules (What the Standard Requires)
BRCGS sets minimum audit-duration requirements. Certification bodies don’t choose the number randomly — they’re required to follow the rules.
The standard defines different audit types:
Initial Certification Audit
Surveillance Audit
Recertification Audit
Follow-up or extension audits (when required)
These durations aren’t negotiable. They’re based on the complexity and risk level of the operation.
A mistake I see a lot: some companies think the certification body can shorten the audit to cut cost. That isn’t how BRC works. Even if you’ve had a perfect internal audit record, the minimum audit time must still be applied.
Pro Tip: Always make sure the quote aligns with the latest BRC audit duration table — not an older version.
Key Variables Affecting Man-Day Calculations (Scope, Risk, and Complexity)
The number of man-days needed isn’t based on just one factor. It’s a combination of operational complexity and risk.
Type of facility (single process vs multiple shifts and departments)
For example, a small confectionery site producing one product type may require fewer audit days than a ready-to-eat meat processor with multiple lines and high-risk hazards.
Pro Tip: Before asking for pricing, lock in your scope: product categories, processes, and hazards. It prevents certification bodies from adding unnecessary audit time.
Common pitfall: under-declaring your scope to reduce estimated duration — only to be corrected (and billed more) later.
Additional Factors That Increase Audit Duration (Modules, HACCP Level, Multi-Site)
Some optional or mandatory elements can extend the audit.
Management system integrations (ISO 22000, FSSC, IFS)
High-risk or highly regulated product categories
If your audit includes voluntary modules or special claims, expect more time.
I’ve seen seasonal producers underestimate complexity. Because the auditor must review multiple operational phases, the audit takes longer.
Using the BRC V9 Audit-Duration Man-Day Calculator (Step-by-Step)
The calculator simplifies all those rules into a quick logic sequence.
It works like this:
Select your audit type (Initial / Surveillance / Recertification)
Enter your employee range
Choose your product risk level or category
Add any optional or mandatory audit modules
Confirm how many processes, lines, or shifts you operate
The output gives an estimated number of man-days based on standard-aligned logic.
If the calculator says your audit requires 3.5 days, and a certification body quotes 2 days, that’s a red flag — either the scope was misunderstood, or the CB isn’t applying BRC rules correctly.
Pro Tip: Keep your scope (products, lines, risk level) ready before using the calculator — accuracy matters.
Interpreting Your Result (What the Man-Day Number Actually Means)
Once you have your estimated number of audit days, it’s important to understand what it includes — and what it doesn’t.
Man-days typically include:
Audit planning
On-site audit
Opening and closing meetings
Report writing (depending on CB model)
Man-days do not typically include:
Travel and accommodation
Corrective-action review
Reaudits after major non-conformities
Certification and admin fees
A common mistake I see: companies treat audit duration as the final price. The duration is just the calculation base — certification bodies apply different fee structures on top of it.
Practical Uses: Applying Your Estimate When Planning or Comparing Quotes
Once you know your estimated audit duration, you can use it in several useful ways.
It helps you:
Compare certification-body pricing fairly
Avoid inflated audit-time assumptions
Plan realistic annual budgets
Decide whether optional modules are worth the extra cost
One company I supported used their duration estimate before requesting quotes. Because they knew the expected time, they avoided a proposal that added an extra audit day unnecessarily.
In the long run, that single decision removed thousands in recurring annual cost.
FAQs: BRC V9 Audit-Duration Man-Day Calculation
Q1: Can we negotiate the audit days to reduce cost? No — minimum audit duration is mandatory under BRC rules. You can negotiate fees, but not time.
Q2: Why do certification bodies sometimes provide different duration estimates? Usually because the scope or risk category wasn’t fully defined or was interpreted differently. Always validate against the BRC audit-duration table.
Q3: Does audit duration stay the same every year? Not always. Changes in product scope, employee size, HACCP complexity, or modules can increase or decrease audit time.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead and Use Audit Duration Correctly
Understanding audit duration isn’t just a technical detail — it affects your budget, scheduling, and certification-body selection. With a clear method to estimate your man-days, you’ll reduce surprises and make smarter decisions when comparing proposals.
If you want, I can prepare the downloadable calculator or build a personalized audit-duration estimate based on your scope. Just tell me your product types, risk level, and site size — and I’ll walk you through it.
Melissa Lavaro is a seasoned ISO consultant and an enthusiastic advocate for quality management standards. With a rich experience in conducting audits and providing consultancy services, Melissa specializes in helping organizations implement and adapt to ISO standards. Her passion for quality management is evident in her hands-on approach and deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks. Melissa’s expertise and energetic commitment make her a sought-after consultant, dedicated to elevating organizational compliance and performance through practical, insightful guidance.
