The annual IFS CB Conference brought together certification bodies and the IFS Network in Berlin to explore the future of food and product safety, digitalisation, and learning. The event showcased IFS’s strong market position and introduced new tools to support innovation and collaboration worldwide.
Annual meeting in Berlin brings together the IFS Community
The IFS CB Conference 2025 took place in Berlin on 9 and 10 October 2025. It brought together representatives from certification bodies and the IFS Network to discuss the latest developments in food safety, compliance, and innovation.
This year focused on advancing food safety through digitalisation, local engagement, and new learning opportunities.
Strong market position and continued growth
| 📈 IFS recorded a 5.7% increase in audits from January to September 2025. |
Despite ongoing consolidation in the food industry, IFS Certification maintained a strong market position and leadership across Europe. It saw a 5.7% increase in audits from January to September 2025 and notable growth in these standards:
• IFS Broker: +9.9%
• IFS HPC: +9.7%
• IFS Logistics: +7.0%
• IFS Food: +5.6%
Backed by a global network of 1,450 auditors and 83 certification bodies, IFS continues to expand internationally and build new partnerships with retailers. It demonstrates the confidence retailers and service providers have in IFS to guarantee product safety and quality across the global food supply chain.
Shaping the future: data, cooperation and AI in auditing
"IFS will strengthen its network to face future challenges. We will expand our supply solutions, use data analysis to enhance audit preparation, invest in current e-learning courses, and make AI an integral part of auditor training."
Stephan Tromp, IFS Managing Director
Expanding IFS Supply Chain Solutions
IFS Managing Director, Stephan Tromp, presented the next phase of IFS’s strategic development, announcing the expansion of the IFS Supply Chain Solutions portfolio. This will support companies in meeting upcoming EU sustainability regulations and strengthen their supply chain risk management.
Using data and AI for continuous improvement
Tromp also highlighted the use of IFS-collected data to enhance audit preparation and as input for auditor and industry e-learning courses. Also, from 2026/27 onwards, AI will play a key role in auditor calibration training, with new modules on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in auditing and food safety, preparing auditors for future industry challenges.
Inspiring keynotes on excellence and digitalisation
Two keynote presentations sparked lively discussion and reflection:
• Dr Jean-Charles Gander (IFS Expert) — “Non-conformity, a road to excellence”, showing how audit findings can drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Dr Gábor Molnár (UNIDO) — “Digitalisation of food safety”, highlighting how technology and data transform global food safety systems.
Both keynotes reinforced IFS’s mission to foster learning, innovation, and collaboration across the global food safety community. IFS and UNIDO also announced a strategic partnership to collaborate more closely. IFS will support UNIDO’s initiatives to strengthen food safety systems and promote good hygiene practices worldwide, signalling a significant step towards enhancing global food industry standards.
New tools and learning opportunities for stronger food safety
IFS EPIC: Next-level e-learning platform for auditors and industry
IFS unveiled IFS EPIC, a new e-learning platform designed for certification bodies, auditors, and businesses that will become available in 2026. EPIC offers flexible, modern learning formats. Users can prepare for the IFS Food Auditor exams anytime and anywhere. The platform also helps expand knowledge of IFS Standards and Programs, Supply Chain Solutions and supports continuous improvement and professional growth.
| 💡 With IFS EPIC, auditors and industry professionals will access a modern e-learning environment to prepare for exams or audits and broaden their knowledge of product safety, quality assurance, and supply chain risk management. |
IFS Local Check: Supporting small-scale producers
IFS also introduced Local Check, a practical verification tool for small-scale food producers. It will be published in early 2026 and provide a structured way to verify good hygiene and manufacturing practices. It will include additional measures to control specific hazards and risks where applicable. By making reliable food safety verification more accessible, IFS Local Check empowers local producers to strengthen trust and transparency with customers and stakeholders.
IFS auditXpress Neo as mobile app
The IFS auditXpress Neo (AXP Neo) is customised software that assists in IFS Audit reporting. Its recent updates include an integrated manual and additional features that enhance user-friendliness and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, IFS plans to introduce a mobile application version of this software, enabling auditors to initiate reporting directly at audit sites. The mobile app will mirror the current features and, through a cloud-based platform, ensure data access across various devices for effective and convenient reporting.
Stronger together
The 2025 CB Conference once again demonstrated the strength of collaboration within the IFS Community. The opportunity to network and gain new impulses benefits the certification bodies and the IFS Team. IFS will continue empowering its partners to expand their business and looks forward to building safer, smarter, and more sustainable supply chains together.
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