PACsecure

IFS Broker is the standard for auditing the service compliance of brokers, sales representatives, traders and importers of food, household and personal care products or packaging materials. The IFS PACsecure Standard is for assessing packaging material manufacturing and converting processes concerning product safety, quality, and customer and regulatory compliance. Certification bodies providing certification to these standards must be accredited by IAF MLA signatories, offering confidence that the above operations meet prescribed criteria. 

IFS Broker and IFS PACsecure are now recognised by IAF as IAF MLA sub-scopes under the main scope of Product Certification—ISO/IEC 17065. This ensures mutual recognition of accredited certification for these standards by IAF MLA signatories and allows acceptance in many markets based on one accreditation. 

“I am delighted to announce that IFS PACsecure and IFS Broker are joining IFS Food and IFS Logistics as IAF MLA sub-scopes,” said Emanuele Riva, IAF Chair. “We look forward to continuing to work with IFS to support the quality, safety and regulatory compliance of products worldwide.”

“Companies holding IFS Broker and IFS PACsecure Certificates demonstrate that they have established robust procedures and processes to deliver safe and trusted products to their customers. IFS is known and respected by many retail, wholesale, and food service companies for its unique product and process approach, robust standards, high auditor qualifications, and strict quality assurance. The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and its members independently verified that our standards meet all required criteria. We are proud that four IFS Standards are now recognised under the IAF MLA. This greatly contributes to our certificates being recognized and trusted worldwide," said Stephan Tromp, IFS Managing Director. 

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 and 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. 

The IFS PACsecure 3 Doctrine we published today provides answers to frequently asked technical questions and clarifies requirements.

Among other topics, this doctrine specifies:

• Which IFS PACsecure version to apply in particular situations;
• The calculation of the minimum audit duration;
• The requirement regarding using interpreters and other professional services;
• The management of COID for companies in specific situations;
• Requirements regarding the approval of auditors and auditor conversion training;
• The compulsory fields and additional information to be provided in the audit requirements; as well as
• Additional clarifications regarding the information that must be added to the IFS Report and the IFS Database.

The doctrine is a normative document complementing the standard. Accordingly, it is essential for certified companies, auditors, certification bodies and other stakeholders to take knowledge of and follow the clarifications contained therein. 

The IFS PACsecure 3 doctrine is currently available in English only. 

Make sure to download the IFS PACsecure 3 doctrine before your next audit.

“Continuing our steadfast dedication to deliver standards of utmost value, we are pleased to introduce version 3 of the IFS PACsecure Standard. Our collaboration with industry experts, who rigorously review and enhance the information, ensures we are meeting the needs of our stakeholders. IFS PACsecure version 3 is aligned with the ever-changing market and is more user-friendly”, says IFS Managing Director Stephan Tromp. 

The IFS PACsecure Standard is for auditing packaging material manufacturing and converting processes concerning product safety, quality, and customer and regulatory compliance. The standard is applicable for the production, processing or conversion of packaging components and materials intended to be used as primary or secondary packaging for food products and other consumer goods.

Together with the packaging experts of PAC Global, IFS developed the first version of this standard in 2012, ensuring that it is tailor-made for the packaging industry. It has been the standard from the industry for the industry from the very beginning. 

Audits, according to IFS PACsecure version 3, are possible from 1 July 2024 and become mandatory on 1 October 2024.

IFS offers certified companies a unique support package

IFS offers guidance, like guidelines and various tools, to support suppliers in reaching IFS PACsecure Certification and further enhancing their product safety and quality management processes. Approved IFS Training Providers offer training based on official IFS Materials, and recognised IFS Consultants support businesses with implementing the requirements and training staff. 

Companies interested in gradually developing product safety and quality processes can start with the IFS Global Markets PACsecure Program. The program is built on standardised requirements and structured in two levels. It helps you progress towards IFS Certification within a defined time frame. 

International recognition

The IFS PACsecure version 3 accreditation process is in progress with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to be recognised under the sub-scopes of product certification of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). IAF MLA signatories mutually recognise accredited certification. It helps to reduce barriers to trade as accredited certificates are recognised in many markets based on a single accreditation. Also, the benchmarking process with GFSI has started. 

More information

IFS PACsecure version 3 is currently available in English only. Translations will come later, and we will inform you about them on LinkedIn and in our regular newsletters. 

For more details: 

• Download the newsletter about IFS PACsecure 3 for Industry
• Visit the IFS PACsecure webpage.

Berlin, 21 February 2024

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.