What is IFS Broker Certification?
IFS Broker (International Featured Standard) is an internationally recognized food safety standard aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of food products throughout the supply chain. This certification is particularly important for companies acting as intermediaries between producers and distributors.
This certification has two key advantages:
- It allows a company to adopt a quality approach of continuous improvement.
- It enables access to the most demanding markets: large industrial companies, supermarkets, and collective catering - which increasingly require their suppliers to be IFS or GFSI certified more generally.
The 4 Steps to Obtain IFS Broker Certification
The process to obtain IFS Broker certification involves 4 crucial steps.
- Firstly, the company must conduct a thorough internal audit to assess its processes and identify any non-conformities with the requirements of the IFS Broker standard.
- Next, it must implement corrective measures to address these non-conformities and ensure that its practices comply with the requirements of the standard. Good IFS Broker practices include equipping oneself with digital solutions to ensure compliance with the standard and maximize the productivity of Quality teams. Platforms like Tracklab (www.tracklab.co) allow for the automatic tracking and updating of documentation from all suppliers, ensuring continuous compliance with the IFS standard.
- Once these preparations are complete, the company must engage an accredited certification body to conduct an external audit. This audit will cover all of the company's activities related to food safety, from product receipt to shipment.
- If the company passes this external audit successfully and meets all the standard's requirements, it will be awarded the IFS Broker certification.
How Much Does IFS Broker Certification Cost?
Obtaining and maintaining IFS Broker certification represents a significant financial investment for a company. The total cost of certification includes several elements:
- Audit fees, which depend on the size and complexity of the company as well as the number of sites involved.
- Costs related to compliance, such as staff training, equipment purchase, and the implementation of document management systems.
- Annual certification fees, covering follow-up audits and certificate maintenance.
According to our estimates, the total cost to obtain IFS Broker certification for a company could amount to tens of thousands of euros. Additionally, recurrent expenses should be budgeted to maintain certification over time.
Despite these financial investments, IFS Broker certification offers a company numerous benefits, including better management of food risks, improved reputation and credibility with customers and business partners, as well as facilitated access to international markets.
In conclusion, a company's decision to obtain IFS Broker certification demonstrates its commitment to excellence and food safety. This rigorous process, albeit costly, represents a strategic investment in the sustainability and competitiveness of our business in the global agro-food market.
