The IFS CB Conference took place in Berlin on 10 and 11 October 2024. At this annual event, we update the certification bodies we cooperate with about the current market situation and our standards, programs and tools. 

In a challenging market with ongoing consolidation in the European food industry, IFS has successfully maintained a high number of certificates. IFS remains the market leader in food certification in Europe and is expanding into new markets. Specifically, food retailers continue to choose IFS as the preferred standard for assessing the quality and safety of their private label products.

The food industry will face more challenges in Europe and other countries and regions around the globe as new corporate sustainability and supply chain transparency legislation comes into force. The IFS Network, supported by major retailers and certification bodies, recognises the need for process validation to comply with the new regulations and stakeholder expectations.

In this context, IFS Managing Director Stephan Tromp said, “We at IFS want to support businesses in creating and maintaining efficient management processes for sustainable and transparent supply chains. To this end, we will offer a portfolio of checks and supportive digital tools under the new IFS Supply Chain Solutions brand. These tools will support companies, particularly SMEs, to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in their supply chains. Through our practical checklists and tools, businesses can identify risks early, monitor their supply chains, and meet their obligations efficiently and reliably. “

He expects the first checks belonging to this product line to be presented in early 2025. 

We will keep our stakeholders updated through LinkedIn and our newsletters.