IFS international food standard

The development of the IFS standard was based on

ever-rising demands of consumers, increasing liabilities of
retailers and wholesalers, increasing legal requirements, and the
globalization of product supply. All of these points made it essential
to develop a uniform quality assurance and food safety standard.

IFS International Food Standard

The members of the German Retail Federation: Hauptverband des
Deutschen Einzelhandels (HDE), its French counterpart Fdration
des entreprises du Commerce et de la Distribution (FCD), and its
Italian counterparts COOP, CONAD, Federdistribuzione have
collaborated on a quality and food safety standard for retailer (and
wholesaler) branded food products, which is intended to assess
suppliers food safety and quality systems, with a uniform approach
that harmonizes the elements of each.

Objectives
Basic objectives of the International Food Standard include:
Establishing a common standard with a uniform evaluation system,
Working with accredited certification bodies who manage a pool of
well-qualified and approved auditors,
Ensuring comparability and transparency throughout the entire
supply chain, and
Reducing costs and time for both suppliers and retailers.

Why Choose IFS?

1. Competitive Advantage - IFS
Certification can offer a number of
key benefits to companies striving
for excellence in quality and
customer satisfaction, and seeking
a competitive advantage within
their marketplace.
2. Acceptance - Many retailers
participated in the development
of the standard, hence its widely
accepted among major retailers.
3. Certification Bodies (CB)
Oversight - CBs must hold a
current EN 45011 accreditation in
order to certify facilities according
to the standard. This ensures IFS
audit consistency is maintained by
all accredited Certification Bodies
worldwide.
4. Auditor Quality - an IFS
professional auditor must meet
fundamental requirements:

Structure/Recognition

audit experience (at least 10

audits in the last 2 years),

The IFS is divided into four main sections: audit protocol, technical
requirements (which includes senior management responsibility,
quality management system, resource management, etc),
requirements for accreditation bodies, certification bodies and
auditors, and reporting.

effective knowledge of HACCP

principles,

The IFS program is recognized by the Global Food Safe Initiative

(GFSI), and is also specified worldwide by many retail chains.

qualification in quality
management, and
pass an oral and written exam.

QMI SAI Globals

on-site supplier assessments
can help you manage risk.

Ask how we can

customize a program for you.

QMI SAI Global Agri-Food

Group a Complete Solution

At QMI SAI Global, our Agri-Food Group is not only focused on

evaluating your business processes against rigorous ISO and industry
relevant standards, but we also understand how compliancetogether
with best practices and your brand standardscan reduce risk,
improve the efficiency, economy, quality, and profitability of your
operations.
Our qualified and industry-specific experts deliver the following
leading programs, to help drive continual improvement within your
business processes:
BRCs Global Standard for Food Safety
Canadian Celiac Association (PAVENA & CCA/Gluten Free)
Canadian Horticultural Council OFFS (CanadaGAP)
EFSIS Safe & Legal
GlobalGAP
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA-SAFE)
ISO 14001
ISO 22000
ISO 9001

Look to QMI SAI Global for a

completely integrated solution
for your needs in safety, security,
sustainability and operation
performance, including:
Industry Training (on-site, online
and classroom)
Risk-based supply chain
management solutions
Custom assessments & audits
Certification / Registration audits

Expert Technical Assistance

QMI SAI Global differentiates itself
from the competition by employing
full-time technical experts as Product
Managers. Rely on the industry
experience of our food Product
Managers to discuss your needs and
evaluate the very best solution for
your organization.

OHSAS 18001
Packaging Association of Canada (PACsecure)
QM I - HACCP
Safe Quality Food (SQF 2000 Levels 1, 2 & 3)
U.S. Customs & Border Protection, (C-TPAT)
USDA (National Organic Program)
At QMI SAI Global, the goal is to continually advance business
excellence by providing organizations with the right knowledge and
experience that together with a diligent focusdeliver a predictable
return on investment.

(800) 465-3717
client.services@qmi-saiglobal.com
www.qmi-saiglobal.com
Rev 10/2009