IFS Food Certification

IFS Food is a GFSI-recognised food-safety and quality scheme developed by German and French retail associations. Assessment is score-based: each requirement is scored A, B, C or D, and certification is granted at Foundation or Higher level according to the total percentage. There are KO (Knock-Out) requirements; failing one of these directly blocks certification.

• Food manufacturers supplying German, French and Italian retail
• Firms manufacturing private-label products
• Those exporting to European retail chains

Not legally mandatory; effectively required commercially for supplying continental European retail. When the scheme's KO requirements (e.g. CCP monitoring, traceability, corrective action) are not met, no certificate is issued regardless of the score.

• Management responsibility and the quality policy
• The quality and food-safety management system; HACCP
• Resource management: personnel hygiene, training, welfare facilities
• Operational processes: contract review, product development, purchasing, packaging, facility and equipment
• Foreign-body and allergen management
• Traceability and GMO/allergen segregation
• Measurement, analysis and improvement: internal audit, process verification, complaint management, recall
• Food defense and external audits
• The vulnerability assessment against product fraud
• The KO requirements and the scoring system

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• BRCGS Food
• BRCGS Packaging
• IFS Logistics
• ISO 22000Food Safety Management
• FSSC 22000Food Safety System
• HACCP
• GMPGood Manufacturing Practice
• GMP+Feed Safety