What is IFS?
IFS Standards are uniform food, product, and service standards operated by the IFS, an association of retailers and industrial companies. The purpose of the harmonized IFS standards is to inspect producers, logistics companies, brokers, and agents to ensure they are able to manufacture and handle safe products. The IFS Standards currently comprises eight standards developed for stakeholders involved in all stages of the food supply chain. By achieving IFS certification, you demonstrate that your company has established processes suitable for ensuring food and product safety and implemented relevant customer specifications.
Benefits of IFS Certification
Open your way to new market opportunities
The management system helps you to reduce food safety breach investigation time.
Customer satisfaction
Deliver products that consistently meet customer requirements and a service that is dependable and can be relied on.
Global recognition as a reputable supplier
Independent verification against a globally recognized industry standard speaks volumes.
Enhance your brand image
Understand how statutory and regulatory requirements impact your organization and its customers.
Build consumer confidence
Procurement specifications often require certification as a condition to supply, so certification opens doors.
Increase market opportunities
Ideal for responding to situations that can compromise the food safety of both products and production processes.
Check out the Who can be certified IFS Certification Video
Who can be certified IFS Certification?
IFS certification is available for food manufacturers, brokers, logistics providers, manufacturers of household and hygiene products as well as wholesalers and retailers
Food Manufacturers
Agent and Brokers
Consumer Products
Food Retailers
Logistics Providers
Hygiene Products
Manufacturers of Household
Wholesalers
Distributors
Document required for IFS Certification
- System Manual
- System Procedure
- Policy
- Objectives
- Mission & Vision
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Checklist
- Forms
- Formats
- Records
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
- Organization’s size
- Activities performed by the organization
- Processes undertaken by the Organization
- Products and services offered by the organization
- The complexity of processes undertaken
- Competence of persons involved
Role of Shamkris and Process of IFS Certification
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to effective system implementation in the organization. A simple and practical method of system implementation helps organizations increase business efficiency and sustainability. Shamkris supports 100% documentation to obtain an accreditation body of success in addition to enhanced performance.
The implementation process is described below:
Day 1
GAP Analysis, Certification Body, Selection, Cost Estimates
• Finding the GAP between existing system related to FSC requirements
• Selecting the appropriate certification Body
• Based on the scope of your business & certification Body you choose
Week 1
Developing Documents
• Management System Manual, Management System Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc.
• Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Week 4
Implementing Management System
• IFS Awareness training for the top management and staff
• Implementing a well-documented management system throughout the organization
Week 8
Internal Audit
MRM
CAPA
• Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to C-TPAT requirements
• Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to FSC requirements
• Management Review Meetings
• Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
Week 10
Certification Body
Audit
N-C Closing
• Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit
• Closing of any nonconformities identified by the certification body
Week 12
Certification Body
• IFS certificates issued
Surveillance Audits yearly
Year on Year
Yearly Compliance
• Support of Yearly documentation for audit
• Announce Audit Compliance
FAQ
The International Featured Standard (IFS) Food V7 is a leading GFSI-recognised standard that certifies the safety and quality of processed food products and production processes
The International Featured Standard (IFS) is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standard for manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, agents and brokers.
IFS Broker is the link between production and retailer. It is suitable for companies that also focus on trading activities. As an independent third party we use certification as per IFS to document your compliance with the strictest quality standards and to enable you to use your resources more effectively.