Quality standards are the maximum guarantee, within the food industry, of legality, safety and quality. Processes and products are the target of certifications of different types, which form a set of common standards that the actors involved in the sector have to comply with. On this occasion, we will focus on IFS certification, one of the best known and most relevant.
What is IFS certification and what is it for?
IFS (International Featured Standards) certification was created in 2003 as the International Food Standard. It is international and sets a unique system for assessing the food industry under the EN 45011 product certification standard. It guarantees the supply of products that comply with safety legislation and legislation in all specifications. At the same time it ensures transparency and stringency of certification systems, helps to improve transparency throughout the supply chain and reduces the time and operational costs for manufacturers and distributors.
Objectives and benefits of IFS certification
IFS certification is perhaps the most internationally recognised proof of compliance with food safety regulations. It covers all areas that are considered critical in food safety processes, such as traceability, implementation of hygiene protocols or compliance with HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) principles.
IFS certification is not only a requirement for the export of food products, but there is an increasing number of national and international companies that only work with other companies that have this quality and food safety certification. Another of its main advantages is that it helps to reduce the number of audits that have to be carried out, such as those of distribution companies and other customers, while at the same time providing customers with a complete picture of the strengths and areas for improvement of their suppliers.
In addition to being a competitive advantage, IFS certification is the best guarantee for consumers of quality, food safety and reliability. This is particularly important in the case of private label products. Finally, a certification of this prestige serves as a legal defence in the event of a food safety incident and as a legal defence within the scope of due diligence.
How to obtain IFS certification
In Spain, in order to obtain IFS certification, a quality management system such as HACCP based on the Codex Alimentarius must first be established. It is also necessary to implement a Pre-requisite and Facility protocol in accordance with GFSI requirements. AENOR (Spanish Association for Standardisation and Certification) is one of the main entities authorised to provide IFS certification.
In terms of timing, once a quotation has been requested from one of the certification authorities, usually by filling in a standard form, if accepted, a contract is signed between the two parties stating the date of the IFS certification audit. The certification authority sends the IFS audit plan and the certificate is issued within 6 to 8 weeks after the audit. The validity, for 12 months, is effective from the date of issue on the IFS certificate.
The study for the concession takes into account the coincidence with other protocols and certifications such as the BRC standard or the UNE EN-ISO 22000 standard for Food Safety Management Systems. In some cases it is possible to undergo this process together with other audits, such as UNE EN-ISO 9001, as IFS certification is easily integrated with other safety standards.