Tuesday, 30 January 2024

This newsletter informs you about relevant developments and technical updates regarding the IFS Food Standard and Global Markets Food Program.

Updated IFS Food 8 Doctrine

The second version of the IFS Food 8 Doctrine is updated to clarify the following requirements:

  1. Part 1, 1.2.1.1 on the use of a professional interpreting service provider.
  2. Part 3, 3.1.1.1 on the suspension or withdrawal of the accreditation of a certification body.
  3. Part 4, 4.2.1.1 on the use of the COID for companies in some specific cases.

The doctrine is a normative document complementing the standard. Accordingly, you must follow the clarifications contained therein.

Download the IFS Food 8 Doctrine version 2

New IFS Food 8 Checklist Guideline

We have published the IFS Food 8 Checklist Guideline.

For every chapter, the checklist guideline provides a selection of applicable European legislation, references to legislation in other parts of the world and other useful documents. For each requirement of part 2 of the standard, you will find examples of good practices, typical auditor questions, elements an auditor should check, and examples of non-conformities, Majors, and KOs.

The guideline is an explanatory supportive document, not normative. It is an excellent resource to help you prepare for your IFS Food Audit. Also, it serves as guidance for auditors performing IFS Food Audits. So, by using this guideline, you will be as excellently equipped for your audit as the auditor is.
 

Download the updated IFS Food 8 Audit Checklist Guideline

IFS Food 8 Audits are now mandatory

Since the beginning of the new year, IFS Food 8 Audits have been mandatory. In some exceptional cases, performing IFS Food 7 Audits is still possible. All exceptions will end at the 31 December 2024. These are specified in the IFS Food 8 Doctrine.

IFS offers guidelines and tools to support you in optimising your food safety and quality management and reaching and maintaining your IFS Certification. We recommend downloading the Comparison between IFS Food 7 and 8, the Food 8 Audit Checklist Guideline, and the free IFS AXP Neo Software audit reporting tool. You will find the software download in the login area of the IFS Database.

You can visit the Food Standard page for more information about IFS Support for certified companies.

IFS Food 8 GFSI benchmarking process is progressing

The GFSI benchmarking process for IFS Food 8 is ongoing. During the office visit in Berlin in December 2023, the auditor asked IFS to clarify specific topics, which we did in the updated doctrine and IFS Food v8 checklist guideline. According to GFSI’s work plan, the next step is public consultation. The entire process should be completed in the first half of 2024. 

IFS Progress replaces IFS Global Markets

We are preparing to rebrand our IFS Global Markets programs. The supplier development programs will get a new name, IFS Progress. It emphasises the active approach and aim of the programs while their content remains the same.

We plan to officially introduce the new brand name at the end of March 2024. This includes the introduction of the new program logos. To raise awareness and allow necessary preparations, we will pre-inform all assessed suppliers and other stakeholders in a newsletter at the end of February. In this communication, we will also answer frequently asked questions.

Successful start of IFS Global Markets Food 3 assessments

Already, 298 IFS Global Markets Food version 3 Assessments have been carried out in various regions of the world. The version 3 assessments started in July 2023.

Most assessments have achieved very good results, and the feedback received from the market is positive. It confirms the program's aim to continuously improve performance and progress to IFS Certification. Only in a few cases were significant non-conformities in food safety and/or legal requirements found, resulting in failing to pass the assessment.

We recommend using our guidelines and tools to be excellently prepared for your next assessment. Get more information on the IFS Global Markets Food page.

New Supporting documents for IFS Global Markets Food 3

  • The new IFS Scoring System brochure for IFS Global Markets Food It explains the scoring system used for IFS Global Markets Food Assessments in detail. Click to download the brochure.
  • The IFS Checklists Comparison for IFS Global Markets Food 3 and Food 8 This document helps you prepare and successfully manage the step from IFS Global Markets Food to IFS Food Certification. Find the comparison here.

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