Key takeaways
- Strengthening the global network: IFS continues to expand its global presence, with new retail and wholesale partners joining the IFS Database.
- Growth in the certification market: Audit numbers increased by 6% in 2025, with further growth expected across the global certification network.
- Advancing digital services: Mobile audit reporting, an enhanced auditor portal, and improved database connectivity will support certification body workflows.
- Supporting aspiring auditors: The new IFS Food Exam Masterclass launches on IFS EPIC in November.
- Expanding the portfolio: The IFS Consumer Goods Standard and further Supply Chain Solutions are in development.
- Looking ahead to 2027: IFS presented its strategic direction and unveiled plans for its 25th anniversary campaign.
A vibrant gathering of the international CB community in Berlin
The IFS CB Conference 2026 brought together representatives from certification bodies and the IFS Team in Berlin and online on 14 and 15 October. Participants received the latest updates on IFS Standards, Programs and Checks, as well as relevant policies and processes. Key announcements included a new training course for aspiring auditors, the development of a new consumer goods standard, digital improvements and plans to celebrate 25 years of IFS in 2027.
Expanding our global network
IFS continues to strengthen its leading market position in Europe and expand its international presence. Our regional team in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has grown, and our activities in the Nordics and Latin America are expanding as well.
Retailers and wholesalers increasingly rely on IFS as a trusted partner. This year, Copec (Chile), Co-op (UK), Rema 1000 (Norway) and Grupo Mateus (Brazil) joined the IFS Database to support their quality management and supplier development.
In 2027, IFS will strengthen its regional presence through joint activities and events with certification bodies, consultants and other partners. The IFS Focus Days will also be expanded to foster exchange and collaboration across the network.
Growing in the certification market
Despite a challenging market environment, IFS continues to grow. By the end of 2026, we expect our global network to include 90 certification bodies, with the number of IFS auditors exceeding 1,500.
Audit figures also show a positive trend. In 2025, more than 30,300 audits were conducted across IFS Standards, representing a 6% increase compared with 2024: IFS Food (+6,2%), IFS HPC (+13,1%), and IFS Logistics (+8,3 %), showing above-average growth. The IFS Progress Programs also continued to develop, with more than 2,370 assessments registered in 2025, an increase of 1.6%.
Facilitating certification body workflows with digital services
IFS continues to enhance its digital services to support certification bodies and other stakeholders in their daily work. The IFS Database remains available free of charge. An enhanced online manual, now featuring tutorial videos, helps users navigate its functions, while an API enables direct connections to the database and facilitates data exchange.
We also announced that auditXpress Neo, the IFS Software for audit reporting, is going mobile. Development has reached the beta stage, and the application is ready for testing by auditors.
In addition, the auditor portal in the IFS Database will be renewed step by step. The first release of this wider project will focus on renewing the auditor rights management process.
Preparing aspiring auditors with the IFS Food Exam Masterclass
The new IFS Food Exam Masterclass will offer comprehensive preparation for the IFS Food General Written Exam. Designed for aspiring auditors, the course enables participants to prepare in a focused and flexible way, wherever and whenever it suits them.
Launching in November on IFS EPIC, our new e-learning platform, the Masterclass marks the beginning of a broader range of digital learning opportunities. IFS EPIC will gradually expand to include courses on IFS Standards, Programs and Supply Chain Solutions, supporting continuous learning and professional development.
The platform will provide auditors and industry professionals with a learning environment to prepare for exams and audits and deepen their expertise in product safety, quality assurance and supply chain risk management.
Introducing a new IFS Consumer Goods Standard
Another key conference announcement was the development of IFS Consumer Goods, a new standard for assessing sites that produce non-food consumer products. Planned for introduction in the first half of 2027, it will cover 12 product scopes and include requirements addressing relevant legislation and product safety standards.
The standard will introduce a new approach to assessment, including a voluntary self-assessment and an optional hybrid audit that combines online and on-site elements. This approach is intended to make assessments more targeted and efficient for production sites, auditors and certification bodies. To support implementation, the IFS IT Department is working to integrate the new approach into the IFS Database and connect it to IFS Neo Software.
Expanding our Supply Chain Solutions
Following the recent launch of the PPWR Conformance Self-Assessment, IFS is continuing to develop its Supply Chain Solutions portfolio.
The PPWR Conformance Check is in development. This on-site check will enable a closer assessment of company processes related to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). An updated version of the IFS Deforestation Check is also planned to reflect the revised EU Deforestation Regulation. In addition, a self-assessment questionnaire addressing the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will be incorporated into the ESG Compliance Check.
These developments will support companies in assessing relevant requirements, identifying potential gaps and strengthening their supply chain management processes.
Developing a data-driven, modular approach
The conference also provided an outlook on the future strategic direction of IFS. A key element is a data-driven, modular approach that combines self-assessments with IFS Standards, Programs, and Checks conducted by auditors.
The aim is to support a more targeted assessment of risks and requirements while providing solutions suited to different needs across supply chains.
Celebrating 25 years of IFS
The conference concluded with the unveiling of the anniversary logo and plans to celebrate 25 years of IFS in 2027.
Our story began in 2002, when IFS Food was launched. Under the anniversary theme “25 years of trust. Shaping the future”, the campaign will highlight key milestones, the people and organisations that make up the IFS community, and the innovations that will shape the years ahead.
The campaign will run throughout 2027, with the next CB Conference taking place on 7 and 8 October 2027, when the anniversary celebrations will also take centre stage.
The conference provided an opportunity to exchange information, discuss developments and strengthen collaboration across the IFS network. As IFS approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027, we look forward to continuing this cooperation and further developing our standards, programs and solutions in dialogue with certification bodies and industry partners.