IFS: International Featured Standards

IFS sets an internationally recognized standard for auditing and tracking the safety and quality of food and consumer goods. There are several IFS certifications, each of which focuses on a specific area of food and consumer good production and distribution.These include:

• IFS Food – for organizations involved in food processing or production
• IFS Logistics – for organizations involved with food transport, storage, distribution, loading, and unloading
• IFS Broker – for organizations that do not produce, process, or pack food products, but are involved in their trade or export
• IFS PACsecure – focuses on the safety and quality of food and consumer good packaging materials
• IFS Wholesale/Cash & Carry – for wholesale and cash-and-carry businesses that sell to commercial buyers
• IFS HPC (Household and Personal Care) – for organizations in the household and personal care sector

IFS certifications are not mandatory, but because they are globally recognized, they are often valuable for organizations involved in the food and consumer good supply chain, as they prove a commitment to safety, quality, and reliability of their products and processes.

To earn an IFS certification, organizations must first choose an IFS-accredited certification body, then undergo an audit.

While the requirements of this audit will vary depending on the type of IFS certification sought, the auditor will typically examine criteria related to:

• The suppliers used by the organization
• Records regarding the date of product production
• The organization’s HACCP plan
• Sanitary and structural conditions of the organization’s production facility
• Production processes, hygiene status, and foreign body management
• Cleaning products used
• Proper documentation
• On-site security and storage

If the organization meets IFS standards, the auditor will recommend that the certification body issue an IFS certification, which the organization will receive after approximately eight weeks.

IFS certifications are typically valid for 12 months. During that time, your organization must undergo a surveillance audit. If the audit is successful, your organization’s IFS certification will be renewed for another 12 months.

An IFS certification offers several benefits to organizations. Some key advantages include the following.

Earning an IFS certification may pose several challenges to organizations. They include the following.

Here are a few tips for preparing for an IFS certification:

• Review the fact sheet for your desired IFS certification on the IFS website
• Watch the “IFS Audit Explained” video on the IFS YouTube channel
• Familiarize yourself with the full IFS standard document for your desired IFS certification, which are located on the IFS website

For more information and guidance on IFS certification, you can refer to the following resources:

• International Featured Standards (IFS). The IFS official website should be the first stop for those seeking IFS certification. There, you will find fact sheets and standards guides for each IFS certification, contact information for accredited certification bodies, and more.
• Industry skills matrices. AG5 offers free, industry-specific skills matrices dedicated to food and beverage, good manufacturing practices (GMP), consumer goods, packaging, and many other areas. You can use them to identify, track, and manage skills related to IFS certifications in your organization.
• Certification guides. AG5 offers free certification guides for HACCP and ISO 22000, both of which may prove valuable for organizations seeking IFS certification.
• Regulatory agencies. Governmental agencies related to food safety will also provide a wealth of resources related to both food safety and IFS certifications. These include the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).