Terms and Conditions for using the IFS Logos

Ownership and usage of the IFS Logos

IFS Management GmbH fully owns the copyright of all IFS Publications and the registered trademarks. The IFS Logos shall be downloaded via the secured section of the IFS Database.

Furthermore, the terms and conditions below shall be communicated to the assessed company by the certification body and checked by the auditor during the assessment. The results of this check shall be described in the company profile of the assessment report as a compulsory field. If the auditor identifies that the company does not fullfil those terms and conditions, IFS shall be informed accordingly.

Terms and conditions for using the IFS Logos and communication about the IFS Certification/Application

These terms and conditions apply for all IFS Logos.

Form, Design and Colour of the IFS Logos

Only the latest version of the IFS Logos shall be used. When used, the IFS Logo(s) shall comply with the form and colour of the scale drawing. If used in documents, black and white print is also permitted. Companies shall only use the logo of the standard(s) they are certified for. The respective logo can be used from the announcement of the certification until the end of the certification validity.

The general IFS Logo can only be used to express that the certification body or the IFS Consultant supports IFS Certified Companies, or that the certification body offers certification for more than one IFS Standard. All other forms of use shall be agreed with IFS.

The IFS Logo(s) can be used in print, electronic form and in films, as long as the form and format are fulfilled. The same conditions apply to the use of the logo(s) as a stamp.

Restriction of comments and interpretations

When an IFS Certified Production Site, an IFS Supporting Company or an IFS Certification Body publishes documents bearing the IFS Logo(s), comments and interpretations referring to IFS shall be clearly identifiable as such.

Use of the IFS Logos in promotional material

The IFS Logo(s) shall not be displayed on the product itself, primary packaging of the product, or any kind of advertising document likely to reach the end-consumer (e.g. intercompany sales packaging, public exhibitions for end consumers, product specific brochures for end consumers, etc.). The logo(s) can only appear on a website section related to quality management or to quality and safety in general. It shall not be used for any kind of business-to-consumer marketing. It shall be clear that all information concerning certification clearly refers to IFS.

The IFS Logo(s) shall not be used in presentations that have no clear connection to IFS.

An IFS Certified Production Site, which accepts IFS Certificates from its suppliers or service providers (brokers, logistics service providers or wholesalers) or an IFS Certification Body may use the general IFS Logo for promotional reasons and publish information about IFS Certification. If they have no certification of their own, it shall be clearly stated that the company supports or works with IFS Certified Companies. Any kind of use that gives the impression that the company itself is certified is not accepted.

Further restriction on the use of the IFS Logos

The IFS Logo(s) shall not be used in any way that may imply that IFS Management GmbH is responsible for the certification decision. In case of suspension or withdrawal of the IFS Certificate, the assessed production site and company have to immediately stop including the IFS Logos on their documents and/or website. In case of exclusion regarding the assessment scope, the IFS Logo may continue used, but the following claim shall be written at the bottom: “Some products are excluded from the scope of the IFS Assessment. Exclusion details can be provided upon request.” It is also possible to list only those products that fall under the respective IFS Certification.

Communication regarding IFS Standards and Progress programs

All the rules mentioned above apply to any communication regarding the IFS Standards and Progress programs. This also means that it is not allowed to use the wordmarks “IFS”, “International Featured Standards”, or “IFS plus name of standard/Progress program” or similar on finished products which are available to the end consumer.

Berlin, Januar 2012,IFS Management GmbH, Stephan Tromp, General Manager