We are happy to share that the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Featured Standards (IFS) signed a Scheme Endorsement Agreement for the recognition of the Wholesale and Cash & Carry standard under the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). This recognition is new for this IFS Standard.

IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry (C&C) is a standard for assessing the safety and quality of products and processes of wholesalers, cash & carry businesses and packing companies. Certification bodies providing certification to these standards must be accredited by IAF MLA signatories, offering confidence that the above operations meet prescribed criteria. 

Under the agreement, the Wholesale and Cash & Carry standard will be recognised by IAF as IAF MLA sub-scope under the main scope of Product Certification—ISO/IEC 17065. This ensures mutual recognition of accredited certification for this standard by IAF MLA signatories and allows acceptance in many markets based on one accreditation.

"This agreement marks another important milestone in strengthening global trust in accredited certification. By recognising the IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry Standard under the IAF MLA, we are reinforcing our shared commitment to food safety, quality and international market acceptance. Recognition as an IAF MLA sub-scope supports the global acceptance of accredited certificates, benefiting businesses, regulators and consumers alike," said Emanuele Riva, IAF Chair. 

"Major players in wholesale and cash-and-carry, along with companies that pack vegetables, fruits, and eggs, use this IFS Standard to have their sites audited and improve their service quality. These businesses are an essential link between growers, manufacturers, and the catering industry. IFS is known for its unique product and process approach, robust standards, high auditor qualifications, and strict quality assurance. We are proud that all six IFS Standards are now recognised under the IAF MLA. This means an independent organisation has confirmed that our standards meet the required accreditation criteria. This commitment enhances the confidence businesses can have in our certificates worldwide," said Stephan Tromp, IFS Managing Director.

The current scopes of the IAF MLA can be viewed here.

About IAF: 

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global association of accreditation bodies, conformity assessment body associations and other organisations involved in conformity assessment in fields including validation and verification and the certification of management systems, products, processes, services, and persons.

IAF promotes the worldwide acceptance of certificates of conformity and validation/verification statements issued by conformity assessment bodies accredited by IAF MLA signatories. It seeks to add value for all stakeholders through its activities and programs.

About IFS: 

IFS Management GmbH, owned by the French retail association FCD and the German retail association HDE, develops globally recognised product quality and safety standards and development programs for companies within the food and consumer goods supply chain companies. 

IFS comprises six different food and non-food standards and four development programs. These assess whether private label and branded product suppliers can deliver safe, quality products in line with regulations and customer specifications. In this way, IFS helps ensure that consumers can trust that the products they find on retail shelves are safe and of excellent quality.