Markem-Imaje, part of Dover and a global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, announced that it has received the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) Grade AA Packaging Materials Certification. This award reflects the exceptional standards at the Markem-Imaje manufacturing site for Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) inks in Bourg-Lès-Valence, France. Markem-Imaje is the first coding company in Europe to achieve a BRC Global Standard.

"The BRC standard is one of the most prestigious certifications applicable to marking and coding ink production," says Mark Rapposelli, vice president Product Development and Engineering at Markem-Imaje. "This certification demonstrates the commitment of Markem-Imaje to innovating and satisfying both increasing demand by customers and consumers for the highest levels of food safety and compliance of marking and coding."

The certification was issued for two major processes performed at the Markem-Imaje CIJ manufacturing site in Bourg-Lès-Valence:

• Inks and inkjet printer additives for coding and marking with direct or indirect food contact; and

• Inks and additives for marking on primary and secondary packaging of food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other products.

This certification comes just one year after Markem-Imaje received a BRCGS Grade A Packaging Materials Certification, a market segment first within Europe. The Packaging Materials Global Standard was the first to be recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and has become the global industry benchmark, not only used by food packaging producers but also by producers of packaging for all applications across the supply chain.

"We are very proud of this certification, which is a clear demonstration of the hard work and dedication of our Bourg-Lès-Valence team to implementing the highest standards market-wide, Rapposelli added. "Markem-Imaje serves many leading brands, and we are constantly innovating to meet market demands. We intend to implement this standard at all of our ink manufacturing sites."

BRCGS is a globally recognized benchmark designed to assure consumers that products are safe, legally compliant, and of high quality. The certification is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, which assists food producers worldwide in increasing consumer and partner trust in and through the entire supply chain.