What's the Difference Between IFS, FSSC 22000, & BRCGS?

If a buyer has told you "we need GFSI certification," you have a choice to make. FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and IFS are all benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and any one of them will satisfy that request. They are not interchangeable, though. Each was built by a different group, for a different market, with a different audit style. Pick the wrong one and you may end up paying for a second audit to satisfy a customer the first scheme does not reach.

Kiwa ASI (formerly ASI Food Safety) has audited food facilities since the 1940s and has been part of Kiwa Group since 2022. We certify against FSSC 22000, BRCGS, IFS, and SQF, which lets us do something a single-scheme certification body cannot: tell you honestly which one fits your buyers, and where the standards overlap so you avoid redundant audits. This guide compares the three schemes in the title, with SQF alongside because it is the scheme most North American facilities are weighing them against. New to the topic? Start with our GFSI certification overview.

Key Takeaways

• FSSC 22000 is built on ISO 22000, integrates with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 systems, and runs on a three-year certificate cycle with annual surveillance audits. It fits large manufacturers already running ISO management systems.
• BRCGS is retailer-driven and prescriptive. Major grocery chains in the UK, USA, and Canada often make it a condition of supply.
• IFS is the standard European retailers expect. It is effectively mandatory for North American companies exporting food products to Europe.
• SQF is the most widely held scheme in North America and the one most US and Canadian buyers name first. It is outcome-based with an optional Quality Code add-on.
• All four are GFSI-benchmarked, so any one satisfies a generic "GFSI certified" requirement. Choose by who your buyers are, not by which scheme sounds most rigorous.

IFS vs. FSSC 22000 vs. BRCGS vs. SQF at a Glance

Each Certification in Detail

1. FSSC 22000 Certification

What is FSSC 22000 Certification?
FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification focused on food safety management systems. It is built on ISO 22000 and integrates seamlessly with other ISO management systems like ISO 9001 (quality management) or ISO 14001 (environmental management).

Unique Features and Benefits:

• Global Acceptance: Recognized internationally, particularly by major food corporations and manufacturers.
• Three-Year Certificate Cycle: Unlike annual recertification, FSSC 22000 certificates run on a three-year cycle with annual surveillance audits, which spreads the administrative burden.
• Scalability: Applicable across the entire food supply chain, including manufacturers, transporters, and retailers.
• Integration: Companies using multiple ISO standards can harmonize their systems for improved efficiency.
• Increasing Adoption: Over 36,000 sites worldwide are certified under FSSC 22000 (FSSC 22000 Annual Report, 2023).

Why It Matters for Companies:
Large corporations adopting FSSC 22000 benefit from its global credibility, standardized processes, and ability to integrate with existing management systems. This certification enhances supply chain transparency and supports regulatory compliance across international markets.

Learn more about FSSC 22000 certification and audits from Kiwa ASI.

2. BRCGS Certification

What is BRCGS Certification?
The Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) certification, established in 1996, sets global benchmarks for food safety and quality. It covers various sectors, including food manufacturing, packaging materials, consumer goods, and storage/distribution.

Unique Features and Benefits:

• Global Recognition: Often required by retailers and stakeholders in food supply chains. Major grocery chains in the UK, USA, and Canada mandate BRCGS certification for suppliers.
• Operational Efficiency: Helps businesses streamline processes, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Sales and Profitability Impact: According to the BRCGS Compliance Report, manufacturers with this certification experience, on average:

  • 7.5% sales growth
  • 6% increase in profitability
• Continuous Improvement: BRCGS standards require ongoing assessment and improvements, fostering a culture of quality and safety.

Why It Matters for Companies:
For companies seeking to supply products to major retailers globally, BRCGS certification is often a non-negotiable requirement. It enhances brand reputation, builds consumer trust, and drives profitability by improving operational efficiency.

Explore Kiwa ASI's BRCGS certification audits, or read our full guide to what BRCGS certification involves.

3. IFS Certification

What is IFS Certification?
The International Featured Standards (IFS) certification, established in 2002 by French and German retail associations, emphasizes food safety and product quality with a risk-based, non-prescriptive approach.

Unique Features and Benefits:

• European Market Access: IFS certification is widely accepted by European retailers. It is mandatory for North American companies looking to export food products to European markets.
• Customized Approach: The non-prescriptive methodology allows companies to design hazard control methods tailored to their unique operations.
• Efficiency and Standardization: Simplified processes and standardized assessments reduce operational redundancies.
• Growing Adoption in the U.S.: While IFS is predominantly European, its demand is steadily increasing in the United States due to growing cross-border trade.

Challenges and Solutions:

• Auditor Availability: In the United States, finding qualified auditors can be challenging, as only a handful of auditors are certified.
• Training Requirements: European regulations and requirements pose a steep learning curve. Only 25% of auditors pass IFS training in the U.S.

Why It Matters for Companies:
IFS certification is essential for North American businesses seeking to expand into European markets. It supports compliance with stringent European food safety regulations, enhances operational transparency, and improves global market competitiveness.

See Kiwa ASI's IFS Food certification services.

4. Where SQF Fits In

SQF (Safe Quality Food) is administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute, part of FMI, the Food Industry Association. It is the scheme most North American retailers, foodservice distributors, and co-packers name first, and it is the one most facilities in the US and Canada already hold. The SQF Food Safety Code is outcome-based: it tells you what a compliant system must achieve and leaves the method to you, which suits sites of very different sizes. It pairs System Elements with an industry-specific module (manufacturing, storage and distribution, packaging, and others), and offers an optional SQF Quality Code for sites whose buyers also want quality management audited.

If your customers are domestic, SQF is usually the shortest route to a GFSI certificate. If some of them are in Europe, or a key retailer names BRCGS, that is when the comparison above matters. See Kiwa ASI's SQF certification services.

How to Choose the Right Scheme

Work through these questions in order. Most facilities have an answer by the second one.

1. Has a specific buyer named a specific scheme? If a retailer's supplier manual says BRCGS, or a European importer says IFS, that decides it. Do not argue with a purchase order.
2. Where are your customers? Domestic US and Canadian buyers: SQF or BRCGS. European buyers: IFS. Global corporate customers with ISO cultures: FSSC 22000.
3. What systems do you already run? A site with ISO 9001 in place will find FSSC 22000 a natural extension. A site with none will usually find SQF or BRCGS faster to implement.
4. Do you need quality audited too? SQF's Quality Code and BRCGS's quality requirements cover this. FSSC 22000 is food safety only unless you add ISO 9001.
5. Could you need two? Some exporters hold SQF for domestic buyers and IFS for Europe. Because the schemes overlap heavily, a certification body that audits both can often schedule them together and reduce the duplicated effort.

Why Kiwa ASI Stands Out

Navigating the complexities of food safety certification can be overwhelming, particularly for companies with global supply chains. Kiwa ASI, as part of Kiwa Group, simplifies this journey by offering expert guidance, audits, and training for FSSC 22000, BRCGS, IFS, and SQF certifications. Kiwa ASI's unique value lies in:

• Expertise Across Markets: With decades of experience and an expanding team, Kiwa ASI has positioned itself as a global leader in food safety solutions.
• Qualified Auditors: Kiwa ASI has addressed the auditor scarcity challenge for IFS in the U.S., becoming one of the few certification bodies with qualified auditors readily available.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: By identifying overlaps between certifications, Kiwa ASI helps companies avoid redundant audits, optimizing resources.
• Global Reach: Offering certifications across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, Kiwa ASI supports businesses of all sizes in achieving global compliance.

Not sure which GFSI scheme is the right fit for your facility and your buyers? Request a certification quote and a Kiwa ASI scheme specialist will walk you through the options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is one of these certifications "better" than the others?
A: No. All four are benchmarked by GFSI to the same baseline, so a buyer asking for "GFSI certification" will accept any of them. The differences are in audit style, cycle, and which markets and retailers ask for each by name.

Q: Can I switch from one scheme to another?
A: Yes. Because the schemes share the same GFSI foundation (HACCP, prerequisite programs, management commitment, food defense, food fraud), most of your existing documentation carries over. Expect a gap assessment against the new scheme's clauses rather than a rebuild.

Q: Do I need more than one certification?
A: Only if two different customers name two different schemes. Some exporters hold SQF for North American buyers and IFS for Europe. Otherwise one GFSI certificate is enough.

Q: How long does it take to get certified?
A: For a site with a functioning HACCP plan and prerequisite programs, six to twelve months from decision to certificate is typical. Sites starting from scratch should plan for longer. A gap assessment early in the process is the best way to get a realistic timeline.

Related reading

• What Is BRCGS Certification? Requirements, Audit Grades, and Cost
• Walmart Food Supplier Requirements
• How to Get Your Sauce on Grocery Store Shelves
• What Is GFSI Certification?

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