CSQ CERTIFICATION
The CSQ Certification Program and applicable standards were built around ISO/IEC 17067
IFS Standard: Audits, Training & Certification Services
IFS (International Featured Standards) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification program trusted by European retailers to verify that food, logistics, and packaging suppliers meet rigorous safety and quality standards. Kiwa ASI provides accredited IFS Food, IFS Logistics, and IFS Broker audit services, helping manufacturers access European and global markets with confidence.
- GFSI-Benchmarked
- European Retailer Required
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What is IFS Certification?
IFS (International Featured Standards) certification is a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative)-benchmarked certification system that verifies whether food manufacturers, logistics providers, brokers, and packaging producers meet internationally recognized standards for product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The IFS Food standard — the most widely adopted standard in the portfolio — is the go-to certification for suppliers selling to European retailers, particularly in Germany, France, and Italy.
Originally developed in 2003 by German and French retail federations (HDE and FCD), IFS has grown into a global program. The current version, IFS Food Version 8, became mandatory for all certified companies on January 1, 2024, and achieved GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2020 recognition in September 2024. The standard organizes 234 requirements across five chapters, including 10 "knockout" (KO) criteria — such as CCP monitoring (2.3.9.1), traceability (4.18.1), and foreign material risk mitigation (4.12.1) — where failure on any single requirement results in automatic certification denial.
GFSI-Benchmarked Standard
IFS Food achieved GFSI recognition under Benchmarking Requirements v2020 in September 2024, providing globally accepted proof of food safety compliance accepted by major retailers worldwide.
European Market Gateway
IFS certification is required by major European retailers, especially in Germany, France, and Italy, making it essential for North American food manufacturers exporting to the EU market.
234 Requirements, 10 KO Criteria
IFS Food Version 8 organizes requirements across five chapters with 10 non-negotiable "knockout" criteria. Failure on any single KO requirement means automatic certification denial.
Full Standards Portfolio
Beyond IFS Food, the portfolio includes IFS Logistics, IFS Broker, IFS PACsecure, and IFS HPC — covering the entire supply chain from manufacturing through distribution to retail shelf.
WHO IT'S FOR
Who needs IFS certification?
IFS certification applies to organizations across the food supply chain — from processing and packaging to logistics and brokerage. If European retailers or brand owners are part of your customer base, IFS certification is likely a prerequisite for doing business.
IFS Food
Food & Beverage Manufacturers
Companies that process, handle, or package food products — including private label producers, branded manufacturers, and co-packers where product contamination risk exists during processing or primary packaging.
IFS Food
Fresh Produce Processors
Facilities performing post-harvest processing of fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut produce — including washing, cutting, sorting, and packaging operations that go beyond primary agricultural activities.
IFS Logistics
Transport & Storage Providers
Third-party logistics companies handling storage, distribution, and transportation of food or non-food products — including all transport modes (road, rail, sea, air) and temperature-controlled warehousing.
IFS Broker
Brokers, Traders & Importers
Companies that purchase, trade, import, or distribute food products without physically handling or storing them. IFS Broker covers the service and compliance aspects of these intermediary operations.
IFS PACsecure
Packaging Material Manufacturers
Producers and converters of primary, secondary, and functional food packaging materials — including direct food contact surfaces, labels, closures, and in-line packaging production.
IFS HPC
Household & Personal Care Manufacturers
Companies manufacturing household cleaning products, personal care items, and cosmetics. IFS HPC ensures product safety and transparency throughout the non-food production chain.
ADVANTAGES
What Are the Advantages of IFS Certification?
IFS certification demonstrates your commitment to internationally recognized product safety and quality standards. It unlocks European market access, reduces audit fatigue, and positions your brand as a trusted supplier in a competitive global marketplace.
European Retailer Access & GFSI Recognition
IFS is the standard of choice for major European retail chains — especially in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. GFSI benchmarking means your certification is also recognized by global retailers and brand owners, reducing audit duplication across your customer base.
Regulatory & Compliance Alignment
IFS Food Version 8 requirements align with EU food safety regulations, HACCP (Codex Alimentarius) principles, and FSMA preventive controls. Certification helps demonstrate due diligence for regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
Comprehensive Quality & Safety Integration
Unlike some GFSI standards that focus primarily on safety, IFS evaluates both product safety and quality management in a single audit — covering food fraud mitigation, food defense, allergen management, and environmental monitoring programs.
Transparent Scoring & Continuous Improvement
The IFS scoring system (A/B/C/D) with defined percentage thresholds provides clear, transparent performance benchmarking. The "Higher Level" certification option rewards companies scoring above 95%, creating a meaningful incentive for continuous improvement.
Supply Chain Trust & Stakeholder Confidence
Certified companies are listed in the IFS Database, providing transparent verification for retailers, brand owners, and supply chain partners. The IFS integrity program with unannounced audits ensures ongoing credibility and consumer trust.
Portfolio Flexibility Across the Supply Chain
The IFS standards portfolio (Food, Logistics, Broker, PACsecure, HPC) allows organizations to certify across multiple supply chain functions under one recognized program — streamlining multi-scope certification management.
What Does an IFS Food Audit Cover?
An IFS Food Version 8 audit evaluates your organization against 234 requirements organized into five chapters. The audit assesses both your documented food safety and quality management system and its practical implementation on the production floor — with 10 knockout (KO) requirements where non-compliance results in automatic certification failure.
Chapter 1
Governance & Commitment
Senior management responsibility, food safety policy, and organizational structure.
- Corporate policy and food safety/quality objectives
- Management structure and authority
- Customer focus and management review
Chapter 2
Food Safety & Quality Management System
Documented systems including HACCP, food fraud, food defense, and product authenticity.
- HACCP-based food safety management system
- Monitoring system for each CCP (KO)
- Food fraud vulnerability assessment and mitigation
- Food defense threat assessment and plan
- Document management and record-keeping
Chapter 3
Resource Management
People, infrastructure, and workplace environment supporting food safety.
- Human resources, training, and competence
- Personal hygiene requirements (KO)
- Facility infrastructure and maintenance
- Cleaning and sanitation programs
Chapter 4
Operational Processes
Production controls, specifications, and supply chain management.
- Customer agreements and contract review (KO)
- Raw material specifications (KO)
- Foreign body contamination management (KO)
- Allergen management and environmental monitoring
- Traceability system (KO) and product labeling
Chapter 5
Measurements, Analysis & Improvement
Verification, validation, and continuous improvement programs.
- Internal audit program (KO)
- Product recall and withdrawal procedures (KO)
- Corrective action management (KO)
- Product analysis and laboratory testing
- Nonconformity handling and continuous improvement
The 10 Knockout (KO) Requirements
Failure on any single knockout requirement results in automatic certification denial — regardless of your overall score. These are non-negotiable:
1
Governance & Commitment
(1.2.1)
2
CCP Monitoring System
(2.3.9.1)
3
Personal Hygiene
(3.2.2)
4
Raw Material Specifications
(4.2.1.3)
5
Customer Agreement
(4.1.3)
6
Foreign Material Risk Mitigation
(4.12.1)
7
Traceability
(4.18.1)
8
Internal Audits
(5.1.1)
9
Recalls, Withdrawals & Incidents
(5.9.1)
10
Corrective Actions
(5.11.3)
Scoring: IFS uses an A/B/C/D scoring system. To achieve certification at the "Foundation Level," a company must score at least 75% with no major nonconformities. "Higher Level" certification requires a score of 95% or above — demonstrating exceptional food safety and quality performance.
How Should You Prepare for an IFS Audit?
IFS certification follows a structured annual cycle. Initial certification involves a full on-site audit, followed by annual recertification audits. At least every third audit must be unannounced. Here's the step-by-step pathway to certification:
01
Select a Certification Body & Apply
Choose an IFS-approved certification body (CB) accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 (for IFS Food, Broker, PACsecure) or ISO/IEC 17021-1 (for IFS Logistics). Submit your application with details about your facility, product scope, number of employees, and processing activities. Kiwa ASI provides a guided onboarding process to ensure your application is complete.
02
Conduct a Gap Analysis or Pre-Assessment
Before your formal audit, a gap analysis identifies areas where your current food safety management system may fall short of IFS requirements. This is especially important for first-time applicants. Kiwa ASI's consulting team offers gap analysis services through ASI Training and Consulting, LLC.
03
Prepare Your Documentation
Ensure your HACCP plan, food safety policy, SOPs, traceability records, internal audit reports, corrective action logs, food fraud vulnerability assessment, and food defense plan are current and aligned with IFS Food Version 8 requirements. All 10 KO requirement areas must have robust, documented procedures.
04
On-Site Certification Audit
The IFS auditor conducts a comprehensive on-site audit evaluating your documented systems and their practical implementation. This includes document review, facility inspection, process observation, employee interviews, and verification of all 234 requirements including the 10 KO criteria.
05
Address Nonconformities
If nonconformities are identified, submit a corrective action plan with root cause analysis and evidence of implementation. For "B" ratings (deviations), verified corrections must be completed and corrective actions planned before the certificate is issued. Major nonconformities require a follow-up audit.
06
Certification Decision & IFS Database Listing
After successful completion, the CB issues your IFS certificate and registers your company in the IFS Database — a public portal where retailers and brand owners verify supplier certification status. Certificates are valid for 12 months (annual renewal).
07
Annual Recertification & Unannounced Audits
Recertification audits are conducted annually to maintain your certification. At least every third audit must be unannounced — these are marked with an asterisk in the IFS Database and on the certificate. Unannounced audits carry a window period during which the auditor may arrive without prior notice.
Why Choose Kiwa ASI for IFS Certification?
With nearly a century of food safety expertise and a global network spanning 30+ countries, Kiwa ASI delivers consistent, thorough IFS audits backed by deep industry knowledge and responsive client support.
Accredited
IFS-Approved Certification Body
Kiwa ASI is an approved IFS certification body with the accreditation and technical competence to conduct IFS Food, IFS Logistics, and IFS Broker audits. Our auditors are IFS-qualified and maintain current competency through ongoing training.
Expertise
Nearly a Century of Food Safety Experience
Since our founding, ASI has been at the forefront of food safety auditing and certification. Our institutional knowledge across GFSI schemes — SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, and IFS — means our auditors understand how different standards intersect and how to help you prepare effectively.
Efficiency
Responsive Scheduling & Clear Communication
Our dedicated client services team provides fast audit scheduling, clear communication throughout the certification process, and timely report delivery. We understand the business urgency behind certification timelines — especially for companies targeting European market entry.
Comprehensive
Training, Consulting & Multi-Scheme Audits
Through ASI Training and Consulting, LLC, we offer IFS-focused gap analysis, internal auditor training, HACCP courses, and food safety culture workshops. For companies holding multiple GFSI certifications, we can coordinate audit schedules to minimize disruption.
Global Network
Part of the Kiwa Global Family
As part of Kiwa — a global testing, inspection, and certification company operating in 30+ countries — Kiwa ASI provides access to an international network of food safety professionals, ensuring consistent audit quality wherever your facilities are located.
Frequently Asked Questions About IFS Certification
IFS (International Featured Standards) certification is a GFSI-benchmarked program that verifies food manufacturers, logistics providers, and brokers meet rigorous international standards for product safety and quality. It is particularly important for companies selling to European retailers — especially in Germany, France, and Italy — where IFS certification is a prerequisite for supplier approval.
IFS Food Version 8 is the current standard, published in April 2023 and mandatory for all certified companies since January 1, 2024. Version 8 consolidated the previous six chapters into five, introduced updated scoring requirements, and achieved GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2020 recognition in September 2024.
IFS Food Version 8 includes 10 knockout requirements that are non-negotiable for certification. These cover: governance and commitment (1.2.1), CCP monitoring systems (2.3.9.1), personal hygiene (3.2.2), customer agreement (4.1.3), raw material specifications (4.2.1.3), foreign material risk mitigation (4.12.1), traceability (4.18.1), internal audits (5.1.1), recalls/withdrawals/incidents (5.9.1), and corrective actions (5.11.3). Failure on any single KO requirement results in automatic certification denial, regardless of overall score.
IFS certificates are valid for 12 months from the certification decision date. Companies must complete an annual recertification audit to maintain their certification. At least every third audit must be unannounced, and the audit window for unannounced visits is defined within the IFS scheme rules.
IFS certification has two levels: Foundation Level requires a minimum overall score of 75% with no major nonconformities and no KO failures. Higher Level requires a score of 95% or above, demonstrating exceptional food safety and quality performance. Both levels are listed in the IFS Database, but Higher Level certification distinguishes top-performing suppliers.
All three are GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification schemes, but they differ in origin, market focus, and structure. IFS was developed by European retail federations and is the primary standard required by continental European retailers. SQF is owned by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and is widely adopted in North America and Australia. BRCGS originated in the UK retail sector. Each standard covers food safety management, but their scoring systems, chapter structures, and specific requirements differ. Kiwa ASI can help you determine which standard best fits your market and customer requirements.
IFS certification costs vary based on facility size, number of employees, product scope complexity, number of processing lines, and whether additional standards (IFS Logistics, Broker) are included. Contact Kiwa ASI at info@asifood.com or call 1 (800) 477-0778 for a customized quote based on your specific situation.
Yes. IFS allows the transfer of existing, valid certifications between approved certification bodies. Contact Kiwa ASI to initiate the transfer process — we will coordinate with your current CB to ensure a seamless transition with no gap in certification coverage.
At least every third IFS audit must be unannounced. The auditor arrives within a defined window period without prior notice and conducts a full-scope audit identical to an announced audit. Unannounced audits are marked with an asterisk (*) in the IFS Database and on the certificate. Refusing an unannounced audit or denying auditor access results in suspension of certification.
Kiwa ASI offers audit services across the IFS portfolio, including IFS Food, IFS Logistics (for transport and storage), and IFS Broker (for brokers, traders, and importers). Contact our team to discuss which IFS standard — or combination of standards — aligns with your business operations and customer requirements.
All consulting services are offered through ASI Training and Consulting, LLC. All activity is conducted separately from our accredited certification body, ASI Food Safety, LLC, in order to safeguard against any conflicts of interest.