“Studies show that companies operating responsibly and sustainably earn the trust of customers and investors, driving long-term success. Managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) supply chain risks can be challenging for medium and smaller enterprises. The new IFS ESG Compliance Check empowers them to effectively tackle these issues. With validated check results, these businesses gain a comprehensive overview, confidently demonstrate their commitment to stakeholders, and set ambitious future goals.”

Stephan Tromp, IFS Managing Director

ESG management is the next step to responsible stewardship

Environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance (ESG) issues play a key role in the long-term success of businesses. Consumers, employees, and investors increasingly expect companies to act responsibly. As consumers become more aware, they want companies to take action to support the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. Additionally, governments initiate ESG-related legislation and due diligence requirements, while investors seek companies that show leadership, good governance, and transparency.

Identify risks, optimise your supply chain and reach your sustainability goals

To help businesses tackle these challenges and credibly demonstrate their environmental, social, and governance engagement, IFS introduces the ESG Compliance Check. It empowers companies to evaluate and enhance their sustainability practices and supply chain management systems. Businesses will systematically gain better insights into their supply chains, mitigate risks, and identify areas for improvement to reach their sustainability goals. Additionally, they will be well-prepared for upcoming supply chain and due diligence legislation. The unique combination of a pre-assessment and validation by an auditor or assessor ensures the check results are reliable and trustworthy.

The new approach focuses on strategies for reducing risks

The new compliance check replaces the current IFS ESG Check. It includes 20 requirements, a pre-assessment, a risk mitigation plan, and an improvement action plan. The check can be assessed independently or as an add-on to an IFS or other audit. The new approach focuses more on the ESG-related critical raw materials risks and includes the mitigation of these risks.

As an add-on to the check, the Carbon Footprint module has been slightly revised to match the new approach. It remains a voluntary option to determine whether a company has established and maintained effective processes to identify carbon emission-related risks within the supply chain.

Current IFS ESG Check Letters of Confirmation will remain valid until the expiry date.

More IFS Supply Chain Solutions to come

The new IFS ESG Compliance Check is presented under the new brand, IFS Supply Chain Solutions. Under this brand, we will introduce further process checks and IT tools, all designed to assist companies in managing and monitoring supply chain risks effectively and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and stakeholder demands.

For more information, please

• visit the IFS ESG Compliance Check webpage,
• download the industry newsletter,
• Subscribe to our Supply Chain Solutions Newsletter,
• visit the IFS Supply Chain Solutions page.
  
  

The IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry 3 Doctrine

The doctrine provides answers to frequently asked technical questions and clarifies specific requirements. Among other topics, it specifies: 

• Which IFS Wholesale/Cash & Carry version to apply in particular situations;
• The registration for an unannounced audit;
• The requirement regarding using interpreters and other professional services;
• The management of the COID for companies in specific situations;
• The audit duration for fruit and vegetable packing sites; as well as
• Additional information that certification bodies must provide in the IFS Database.
   

The IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry Multi-site Guideline

We updated this guideline to align it with IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry version 3 and accreditation requirements (IAF MD1:2023). 

The guideline applies only to companies with headquarters and multiple sites that fulfil specific criteria regarding the number of sites, activities, and other parameters. It explains the requirements these companies must meet for multi-site certification and describes the aspects to consider during the initial and recertification audits.

Wholesale and Cash & Carry 3 audits are set to begin in May 2025

We published IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry version 3 in December 2024. The new version aligns with current market needs and comes with a new standard logo. IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry 3 audits can start from 1 May and become mandatory as of 1 November 2025. 

Download the Documents 

Discover the essential information and valuable insights these documents provide:

• Download the IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry 3 Doctrine version 1 in English.
• Download the updated IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry Multi-site Guideline version 3 in English.
• Download version 3 of the IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry standard in English.

To ensure the highest level of security, we continuously improve our Information Security Management System (ISMS). Each year, KPMG Cert GmbH, a subsidiary of KPMG Deutschland, audits our ISMS. This year, we passed the audit and transitioned seamlessly to the latest version of ISO 27001: the DIN EN ISO/IEC 27001:2022. 

ISO 27001 is the international standard for an organisation’s ISMS. Its purpose is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systematically minimise risks. 

An ISO 27001 audit evaluates the implementation of processes and measures according to this standard. The audit involves a review of documentation, an assessment of the management system’s compliance, an on-site inspection, and a verification of ISMS implementation. 

The audit results identify any non-conformities, highlight areas for improvement, and may lead to a follow-up audit if necessary. A successful certification demonstrates that an organisation maintains high-security standards, enhancing trust among customers and business partners. 

A regular training programme ensures that IFS employees stay informed about the latest developments and potential risks in information security. The auditors were particularly impressed by the employees’ commitment to embedding information and data security into their daily routines. Achieving ISO 27001 compliance is a team effort and reflects a significant organisational achievement. 

Special thanks go to our IFS Colleagues Tina Brune, our Quality Management Commissioner, and René Hoffmann, our Information Management Officer, who ensure that we all know and follow the rules and regulations to protect us from cyber threats.