IFS - International Featured Standards

Since its introduction in 2003, the IFS Standard has become the most important trade standard in Europe. Initially, the IFS Food Standard was the sole standard; today, it has evolved into an entire family of standards.

The standards are aimed at suppliers at all stages of food processing following agricultural production. The requirements are closely aligned with the quality management standards of the ISO norms (DIN EN ISO 9001/22000) and the HACCP concept, supported by the necessary detailed programs comprised of the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP). Currently, LACON audits and certifies the following IFS standards:

 IFS Food

 IFS Logistics

 IFS Broker

 IFS Wholesale/ Cash & Carry

 IFS Progress Food (formerly GMF)

Further information can also be found at  www.ifs-certification.com

Major European retailers require IFS certification for their suppliers within their supply chain. Since IFS is an international standard, it is also applicable to suppliers outside Europe.

IFS Food Standard

The International Food Standard (IFS) was originally developed for the food industry to audit 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, training

 Manufacturing 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., site security, personnel and visitor safety

These topics 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.

IFS Logistics Standard

The IFS Logistics Standard has been in use since 2006. It bridges the gap between food manufacturing and retail companies. It is primarily used for refrigerated and frozen transport. Based on the IFS Standard, the following key aspects are emphasized:

Requirements for all companies

 Corporate responsibility, e.g., quality policy, organizational structure

 Quality management system, e.g., HACCP analysis

 Resource management, e.g., training

 Service provision, e.g., contract review, supplier evaluation

 Measurements, analyses, improvements (e.g., internal audits, corrective actions)

 Food Defense,  e.g., site security, personnel and visitor safety

The IFS Logistics Standard can be applied to both freight forwarding companies and warehousing operations.

LACON conducts audits at numerous freight forwarding companies. Our auditors, with their extensive auditing and practical experience as well as the necessary IFS qualifications, will provide you with expert support.

IFS Broker Standard

This standard is specifically for trading agencies, brokers and all organizations that trade in goods but do not maintain a warehouse themselves, meaning they do not usually 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 qualification

 Service process, e.g., supplier selection and evaluation

 Measurements, analyses, improvements, e.g., internal audits, analyses

 Special 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 practical experience, as well as the necessary IFS qualifications, will provide you with expert support.

IFS Wholesale/ Cash & Carry

The IFS Wholesale / Cash & Carry Standard is a standard for the certification of wholesalers, cash & carry markets and packing plants.

The following certification areas are defined for IFS Wholesale / Cash & Carry audits:

 Wholesale

 classic (without treatment activities)

 plus (with treatment activities)

 Cash & Carry

 classic (without processing activities)

 plus (with processing activities)

The choice of checklist depends on the core business of the respective

establishment. As soon as the establishment carries out treatment and/or processing activities, the "plus" module should be applied based on 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, training

 Core processes, e.g., specification 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 auditing and practical experience as well as the required IFS qualifications, will provide you with expert support.