Skip to content
LinkedIn YouTube

Packaging plays a significant role in keeping food safe as it travels through the supply chain. It is crucial that the packaging is suitable for its intended use, especially now as new bio-based and recycled materials and technologies emerge to support sustainability efforts.

The new IFS Packaging Guideline helps food companies to identify potential risks and ensure their packaging is safe. It is a supporting document with the goal of improving the communication and cooperation between IFS certified companies and their packaging suppliers.

In this second updated version of the guideline, you can find a practical approach with:

  1. A explanation of supply chain communication and responsibilities of the parties involved
  2. An overview and update regarding EU legislation and general definitions
  3. A explanation of related IFS Requirements and questions auditors might ask
  4. A step-by-step guidance of the food manufacturer’s compliance work
  5. New sustainability aspects following the European Union’s „Green Deal”
  6. An updated detailed example checklist for the evaluation of the declaration of compliance

We thank our colleagues Irmtraut Rathjens de Suster, Konstantina Papastamopoulou and Cheryl Sullivan for their great and hard work in realising this new guideline version. Our special thanks go to Thomas Gude from SQTS, Switzerland, whose experience, knowledge, and insights have made this guideline possible. We would also like to thank the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. and all other contributors for their valuable contributions and additional comments.

Get the new IFS Packaging Guideline. It is currently only available in English.

 

News

News 12.05.2026

We passed our ISO 27001 re-certification!

We are proud to announce that IFS has successfully passed the re-certification audit for its ISO 27001 Information Security Management System.
We passed our ISO 27001 re-certification!
News 23.04.2026

New doctrines for IFS Food, Broker, Logistics and PACsecure

Today, we published updated versions of the doctrines for IFS Food 8, IFS Logistics 3, IFS Broker 3.2 and IFS PACsecure 3. These doctrines are essential normative documents for certified companies,...
New doctrines for IFS Food, Broker, Logistics and PACsecure
News 23.03.2026

Chryssa Dimitriadis appointed Deputy Managing Director

We are pleased to announce that Chryssa Dimitriadis has been appointed Deputy to Managing Director Stephan Tromp, marking a significant step in strengthening our international impact and continued...
Chryssa Dimitriadis appointed Deputy Managing Director
News 16.03.2026

Jean-Charles Gander to lead QA and Integrity Program as new director

We are pleased to announce that Jean-Charles Gander has been appointed Director Quality Assurance (QA) and Integrity Program (IP).
Jean-Charles Gander to lead QA and Integrity Program as new director
News 28.01.2026

Introducing IFS Local, a new food safety check tailored for small-scale producers

Ensuring basic food safety requirements are met, building trust between producers and retailers, and supporting access to retail shelves.
Introducing IFS Local, a new food safety check tailored for small-scale producers