Compliance

IFS

International Featured Standards

What is it?

IFS (International Featured Standards) is a family of GFSI standards developed by German and French retailers (HDE, FCD). The IFS Food standard (Version 8) is the most common and used in food manufacturing. IFS Logistics covers transportation and storage, IFS PACsecure covers packaging materials. Strong presence in European retail (ALDI, Lidl, Carrefour, Metro).

What it's for
  • Meet German and French retailer requirements (ALDI, Lidl, Carrefour)
  • Certify food manufacturing, logistics, or packaging under a European GFSI scheme
  • Offer an alternative to BRCGS or FSSC based on buyer preference
  • Cover multiple sectors with the same family of standards
Scope

Food manufacturing (IFS Food), logistics and storage (IFS Logistics), packaging materials (IFS PACsecure), broker and agents (IFS Broker), cash & carry / wholesale (IFS C&C). Applies mainly to exporters to continental European retail.

Key elements
01IFS Food v8: main manufacturing standard
02Scoring system with points and KOs (Knock-Out)
03IFS Logistics: transportation and distribution
04IFS PACsecure: packaging materials
05IFS Broker: brokers and purchasing agents
06HACCP aligned with Codex and IFS Food
07Announced or unannounced audits
08Specific KO requirements that must be met 100%
Use cases

Manufacturer exporting to ALDI Deutschland or Lidl requiring IFS Food

Logistics center serving European retail under IFS Logistics

Packaging company supplying European brands under IFS PACsecure

Certification

Annual audit by an IFS-accredited body. Score: Higher Level, Foundation Level, or No Passed. Valid for 12 months. KOs (critical requirements) must be met 100%.

Ready to implement IFS?

We build a phased implementation plan all the way to official certification.