IFS
IFS Certification
What Is IFS?
International Featured Standard
IFS is an International Featured Standard; IFS food standard is an internationally recognized standard developed for food manufacturers/processors and companies that pack loose food products. IFS is important for all food processing units especially for those producing private labels, this standard having lots of compliance requirements related to the customer satisfaction. Main objective to develop this standard is to harmonize food safety standard across the supply chain, this standard sharply focuses on production, storage, distribution and trade of safe legal production. IFS is based on quality & food safety management system, resource management, planning & production process, food defence and operational criteria to ensure that manufacturer/processor fulfils their legal obligation and provide protection to the end consumer as well as their own brand.
It is a voluntary standard therefore it automatically fulfils the expectations of the customers and stakeholders regarding food safety management system. It is noticed that mostly European Retailers and food business demand from their food supply chain to get certified on IFS food standard.
IFS standard is the most detailed guideline for the implementation of food safety requirements. It is also recognized by (GFSI) Global Food Safety Initiative, it means if any organization gets certified on IFS standard, it will automatically fulfill the requirements of all major players of food safety.
IFS does not conduct audit itself. Some certification bodies are authorized by IFS to conduct the audit. Most of the countries have formed their own accreditation bodies to authorize the certification bodies. Accreditation and certification bodies charge their fee against their services. Accredited certificate issued by any accredited certification body is accepted worldwide.
Benefits of IFS Certification
- Demonstrate your commitment to food safety
- Increased customer confidence
- Control & eliminate the food safety risks
- Ensure sustainable food safety management system
- Opening new market opportunities
- Reduction in food safety incident cost
- Compliance with legal and Codex HACCP principals
- Internationally recognized and harmonized standard for controlling food safety hazards
- Helpful to enroll as a vendor for retail stores
- Enhance your brand image
- Helpful in attracting new customers
- Helpful to retain the confidence of existing customers
IFS Food Standard Certification Process
After finalization of agreement with the client, experts of Quality Systems visit at client’s premises and conduct the complete gap analysis of existing system against the IFS food standard and discuss the gap report to the management. Identified gaps could be in documents, implementation, employee’s awareness, statutory and regulatory compliances. We commence work according to the agreed timelines as per final gap report and proceed for the audit once all the documentation, implementation, and other requirements are done. Our technical team provides complete assistance, support and cooperation throughout the process to make certification audit successful in first attempt.
IFS certificate is not awarded once-and-for-all but must be renewed before expiration of the certificate. An optional pre-assessment visit may be arranged to identify the areas of improvement and after fulfilling the gaps identified in pre-assessment organization proceed for the final audit and certification body will share the complete corrective action report to close out the caps. Once the caps are closed, report will be submitted to IFS after submission of report they give the decision to the certification body to issue the certificate.
Cost of IFS Certification
Charges of IFS certification can not be flat or same for every organization, please contact us in this regard.
Why Quality Systems
Quality Systems is working with the team of qualified and experienced consultants and trainers having vast industrial experience, most of our consultants are also lead auditors who are aware of the expectations of auditors from your management system during the audit. Quality systems is assisting across the world to implement and achieve the IFS certification. Our consultation methodology is highly professional, time bound and effective and we always add value to the business process of the client’s organization.
Our IFS complete package is comprised on following segments such as training, implementation, consultation, gap analysis, documentation, internal audits, pre assessment, certification audit through world’s most recognized accredited certification body and post certification enhancement / maintenance services to enable your organization for getting the best outcome of IFS. Our services are globally accepted, authoritative and benchmarked in the field of IFS International Featured Standard