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Within the European food supply chain, alongside the BRCGS standard, there is a second, equally widely recognised certification scheme – IFS (International Featured Standards). This is a family of standards covering food manufacturers, logistics operators, packaging manufacturers, traders and many other entities. For companies working with retail chains in Germany, France or the Benelux countries, IFS certification is, in practice, a prerequisite for market entry today. This article explains what the IFS system is, where it comes from and which standards it comprises.
The IFS system was established in the early 2000s on the initiative of two retail organisations: the German Retail Federation (HDE – Handelsverband Deutschland) and the French Federation of Trade and Distribution (FCD – Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution). The original aim was to create a standardised tool for assessing suppliers of food products sold under retailers’ own brands (private label) – similar to what the BRC was doing in the UK market.
Over time, the system has expanded far beyond the food production sector. Today, it covers logistics, packaging, trade intermediation, household chemicals and cosmetics, and is managed by IFS Management GmbH, based in Berlin. IFS Food remains the key standard within the family – specifically version 8, whose recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) was confirmed in September 2024. The other IFS standards do not have GFSI recognition, but are widely required by European retailers as a tool for verifying suppliers.
The IFS system is particularly well established in the German and French markets – it is there that retail chains such as Lidl, Kaufland, Aldi, Carrefour and Leclerc require IFS certification from their suppliers as a condition of eligibility. For Polish companies exporting products to Germany or France, IFS certification is, in most cases, a formal requirement rather than merely a competitive advantage.
IFS certificates are issued for 12 months. In the case of IFS Food, the audit result is expressed on a points-based system – a facility achieves the basic level (from 75% of points) or a higher level (from 95% of points). The higher level is preferred by demanding retail chain customers and opens up wider opportunities for cooperation with the largest retailers.
Like the BRCGS, the IFS operates as a family of separate standards addressing different segments of the supply chain. The choice of the appropriate standard depends on the company’s business profile.
IFS Food – the core standard, aimed at food manufacturers and processors, including pet food producers. It covers all stages: the production, packaging, storage and distribution of food products intended for retail chains. It is the most widely used standard within the IFS family.
IFS Logistics – a standard for logistics operators involved in the transport, storage and handling of packaged food and non-food products. It covers requirements relating to temperature control, the hygiene of means of transport and risk management within the cold chain.
IFS PACsecure – a standard for manufacturers of packaging materials intended to come into contact with food. The equivalent of BRCGS Packaging Materials within the IFS ecosystem.
IFS Broker – a standard for commercial intermediaries who buy and sell food without direct contact with the product. It verifies supplier selection procedures, documentation management and the traceability of goods.
IFS HPC – a standard for manufacturers of household and personal care products. The equivalent of BRCGS Consumer Products.
IFS Wholesale / Cash & Carry – a standard for wholesalers and large-format stores operating on a cash & carry model.
The IFS and BRCGS schemes cover similar subject matter and both have GFSI recognition for their flagship food standards – yet they differ in several aspects that are significant from a producer’s perspective.
The first difference concerns the geographical scope of market requirements. BRCGS dominates in Anglo-Saxon markets – the UK, Ireland, the US and Australia. IFS is the system preferred by retail chains in Germany, France and continental Europe. A company exporting to both markets often needs to hold certificates for both systems simultaneously.
The second difference lies in the assessment system. BRCGS uses a letter grading system (AA, A, B, C), whilst IFS Food is based on a points-based system – each requirement is assessed on a scale of 0 to 20 points, and the final result is expressed as a percentage. This provides a more granular picture of the system’s maturity and makes it easier for retail chain clients to compare suppliers.
The third difference is the KO (Knock Out) requirements, which are characteristic of IFS standards. These are a set of critical requirements; failure to meet them automatically results in the audit being terminated and the certificate being refused – regardless of the results in other areas. In IFS Food, these include, amongst others, the implementation of the HACCP system, allergen management, top management responsibility and product recall procedures.
DJB DORADZTWO
Marcin Chorąży
