IFS – International Featured Standards
IFS standards cover safety and quality at different stages of the food chain, from production and processing to distribution and trade.
Since its introduction in 2003, the IFS Standard has become the most important trade standard in Europe. Initially, the IFS Food Standard was the only standard, while today it has evolved into a whole family of standards.
The standards are addressed to suppliers at all stages of food processing after agricultural production. The requirements are closely aligned with the quality management standards of the ISO standards (DIN EN ISO 9001/22000) and the HACCP concept, supported by the necessary detailed programs consisting of the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP). LACON currently audits and certifies the following IFS standards:
IFS Food
IFS Logistics
IFS Broker
IFS Wholesale/ Cash & Carry
IFS Progress Food (formerly GMF)
The International Food Standard (IFS) was originally developed for the food industry to control private label products. Today, it is widely used throughout the food industry. Key aspects of the IFS standard include:
Corporate responsibility, e.g. quality policy, organizational structure
Quality management system, e.g. HACCP analysis
Resource management, e.g. personal hygiene, education
Production process, e.g. specifications, buildings, foreign body management, pest control, cleaning
Measurements, analyses, improvements, e.g. internal audits, corrective actions, analyses
Food Defense, e.g. facility security, staff and visitor safety
These issues must be effectively and sustainably implemented within the company at the time of certification.
LACON has been auditing a large number of food manufacturers in Germany, Austria and other European countries for years. Our auditors, with their extensive auditing and practical experience, as well as the necessary IFS qualifications, will provide you with expert support.
The IFS Logistics Standard has been in use since 2006. It bridges the gap between food production and retail companies. It is mainly used for the transport of chilled and frozen products. Based on the IFS Standard, the following key aspects are highlighted:
Requirements for all companies
Corporate responsibility, e.g. quality policy, organizational structure
Quality management system, e.g. HACCP analysis
Resource management, e.g. training
Provision of services, e.g. contract review, supplier evaluation
Measurements, analyses, improvements (e.g. internal audits, corrective actions)
Food defense, e.g. facility security, staff and visitor safety
The IFS Logistics Standard can be applied to both transport companies and warehousing activities.
LACON conducts audits for many transport companies. Our auditors, with their extensive auditing and practical experience, as well as the necessary IFS qualifications, will provide you with specialized support.
This standard is specifically aimed at commercial agencies, brokers and all organizations that trade goods but do not maintain a warehouse themselves, which means that they usually do not see the goods.
The IFS Standards Broker focuses on the following requirements:
Corporate responsibility, e.g. organizational structure, job descriptions
Quality management system, e.g. HACCP system, specification system
Resource management, e.g. training and qualifications
Service provision process, e.g. supplier selection and evaluation
Measurements, analyses, improvements, e.g. internal audits, analyses
Specific requirements for brokers, e.g. product development, packaging, analysis
If a broker also carries out its own logistics activities, then separate certification of these activities according to the IFS Logistics Standard is required.
Auditors with audit and practice experience, as well as the necessary IFS qualifications, will provide you with specialized support.
The IFS Wholesale / Cash & Transport Standard is a standard for the certification of wholesalers, cash & transport markets and packaging units.
The following certification areas are defined for IFS Wholesale / Cash & Transport audits:
- Wholesale
1.1. classic (without processing activities)
1.2. plus (with processing activities)
- Cash & Transfer
2.1. classic (without processing activities)
2.2. plus (with processing activities)
The selection of the checklist depends on the main activity of the respective business. Once the facility carries out processing and/or treatment activities, the "plus" section should be applied based on the risk.
The standard focuses on the following:
Corporate responsibility, e.g. quality policy, organizational structure
Quality management system, e.g. HACCP analysis
Resource management, e.g. personal hygiene, education
Basic processes, e.g. specifications management, building management, foreign body management
Measurements, analyses, improvements, e.g. internal audits, corrective actions
Product protection and food fraud
These six topics must be effectively and sustainably implemented within the company at the time of certification.
LACON audits wholesalers, cash & carry markets and packaging plants. Our auditors, with their extensive audit and practical experience, as well as the required IFS qualifications, will provide you with expert support.
IFS Progress Food is a food safety control program for retail and private label products. The program aims to support small food producers in establishing food safety and quality management systems. In addition, the IFS Progress Food program is intended to be a first step towards IFS Food certification.
scope of application
The program is modular and includes three levels (basic, basic + HACCP, intermediate) as well as an audit protocol, designed to implement a complete and functional food safety and quality management system step by step, based on a continuous improvement process. An advantage of IFS Progress Food is its fundamental focus on the subsequent IFS Food certification. In exceptional cases, however, the customer can remain within the audit program and is not obliged to pursue IFS certification (subject to approval by the retail chain).
The program consists of three levels: Basic, Basic + HACCP and Intermediate. The basic level covers approximately 45% of the core elements of the IFS Food standard, while the intermediate level covers approximately 70%. The program is based on the IFS Food standard.
The requirements are divided into five chapters:
Corporate Governance & Responsibility 1.1. Corporate structure and management responsibility 1.2. Food safety culture
Food Safety & Quality Management 2.1. Document Management 2.2. HACCP
Resource Management 3.1. Human Resources 3.2. Personal Hygiene 3.3. Education 3.4. Social Spaces
Operational Procedures 4.1. Contractual Issues 4.2. Customer Requirements 4.3. Specifications 4.4. Recipes 4.5. Product Development 4.6. Purchasing 4.7. Product Packaging 4.8. Business Location (structural requirements, air conditioning, lighting, water, equipment) 4.9. Outdoor Area 4.10. Cleaning & Disinfection 4.11. Waste Management 4.12. Foreign Body Management 4.13. Pest Monitoring 4.14. Receiving, Storage of Goods 4.15. Transportation 4.16. Maintenance & Repair 4.17. Facility Design and Process Flows 4.18. Traceability 4.19. Allergen Management 4.20. Food Fraud 4.21. Food Defense
Measurements, analyses, improvements 5.1.Measurement and testing equipment 5.2.Quantitative control 5.3.Product testing and environmental monitoring 5.4.Ensuring product circulation 5.5.Complaint management 5.6.Handling food safety incidents 5.7.Handling non-compliant products 5.8.Handling deviations, non-conformities, corrections and corrective actions
The path to the IFS Progress Food confirmation letter:
If you would like your company to be audited according to IFS Progress Food, we will provide you with comprehensive information about the program, the required effort, the process and the associated costs, and we are also happy to offer a pre-audit.