What is IFS?
IFS is an abbreviation for International Featured Standards. It is a private standard owner that offers a range of international standards based on safety and quality for both food and non-food.

IFS is primarily used by European companies but is recognized worldwide, as IFS is a GFSI-approved standard.

Baltic Control® Certification is authorized to conduct audits and certify according to the three IFS standards FOOD, BROKER, and LOGISTICS.

Note: We are working on obtaining the final Food and Broker accreditations, and once they are approved, all Baltic Control® Certification-issued IFS certificates will be replaced by a new accredited certificate with the same validity period as the original certificate.

As an IFS-approved certification body, Baltic Control® Certification exclusively employs auditors who undergo specific training to audit and certify customers within the IFS standard and the scopes offered which is Food, Broker and Logistics. Each year, all our auditors participate in courses and meetings to stay updated on new guidelines and requirements. This commitment ensures that Baltic Control® Certification maintains high standards and expertise in IFS certification processes.

Why become IFS certified?
IFS operates within both the food and non-food sectors, and both share a consistent risk-based approach, allowing flexibility in implementing requirements specific to each company.

With IFS certification, a company enhances product credibility, leading to increased market opportunities. Engaging with larger customers becomes possible, ultimately contributing to a higher turnover.

While IFS certification raises requirements for the company, it also drives product improvement and systematizes processes. Audits uncover errors and deficiencies, helping enhance both products and overall processes.

How do you become IFS certified?
To become IFS certified, your company must undergo a revision, which is an audit conducted by an independent external certification body, which is Baltic Control® Certification. During this audit, we thoroughly review your company’s production system. At Baltic Control® Certification, our experienced and qualified auditors perform these IFS audits.

An IFS certificate is valid for one year and to maintain the IFS certification, your company must undergo an audit every year. The audit cycle lasts three years, with one audit per year, including an unannounced audit:

• Start/introductory audit
• 1. Re-certification
• 2. Re-certification

The audits focus on company management, processes, quality, and food safety. This evaluation involves reviewing both documentation and the physical facilities.

Which IFS standards do we cover:

IFS FOOD
The IFS Food Standard is based on general aspects of food safety, quality management, and quality control systems

• Governance & commitment
• Food safety and quality management system
• Resource management
• Operational processes
• Measurements, analyses, improvements

IFS BROKER
The IFS Broker standard is aimed at trade agencies, importers and brokers in relation to product quality and safety. An audit will include the following points:  

• Senior management responsibility
• Quality and Product Safety Management System
• Resource management
• Planning and services process
• Measurements, analyses and improvements
• Product defense

IFS LOGISTIC
The IFS Logistic standard addresses logistic services in relation to product quality and safety. An audit will include the following points:

• Senior management responsibility
• Quality and product safety management system
• Resource management
• Realisation of the service
• Measurements, analyses, improvements
• Food / Product defense

Price
The price for a certification depends on the number of scopes, products, number of employees, the size of the company, location, etc. Contact us for a tailor-made offer that suits your company. Please find our contact information below.

Contact us
If you have questions or want further information about the IFS standards, you are very welcome to call or write to us on tel. +45 39 39 01 35 or e-mail cert@balticcontrol.com

Link to IFS: click here