IFS Food: the Franco-German certification standard
Updated 2026-07-12 · Reviewed by: Redazione ce85204 — revisione editoriale assistita da AI (2026-07-12)
IFS Food is a GFSI-recognised food safety and quality certification standard, Franco-German in origin, widely required by continental European retail. It is voluntary and does not replace the obligations under Regulation 852/2004.
IFS Food (International Featured Standards) is a food product safety and quality certification standard, developed by German and French retail and today GFSI-recognised. Like all voluntary certifications, it is optional.
At a glance
- Originating in German and French large retail, it is GFSI-recognised and widely required in continental European markets.
- It applies to businesses that process or pack food, with particular attention to private-label products, and integrates the HACCP principles Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
- It is voluntary: it does not replace registration Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, self-control Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and training Annex II, Chapter XII, point 1 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
- The audit produces a percentage score placing the business in compliance levels (foundation/higher level).
Commentary
What it is
IFS Food assesses both product safety and quality, with emphasis on conformity to customer specifications. It is structured into requirements on senior management responsibility, a quality and food safety management system based on the HACCP principles Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, resource management, production processes, measurements and analysis, and food defence. The audit assigns a percentage score and classifies the outcome into levels, with an obligation to address non-conformities.
Like the other GFSI-recognised schemes, IFS presupposes the hygiene prerequisites and takes them beyond the minimum of Annex II, adding requirements on product authenticity and food fraud mitigation.
Who asks for it
It is required above all by continental European large retail, in particular Germany, France, Austria and connected markets, as a condition for supply, especially of private-label products. It is highly relevant for Italian exporters to those markets.
Accreditation
IFS certification is issued by bodies accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 supplemented by the standard's requirements, within the framework of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 (ACCREDIA in Italy). GFSI recognition and accreditation, with the EA-MLA arrangements, ensure its international usability.
Relationship with the obligations under 852
IFS Food replaces no legal obligation. The certified business remains subject to registration Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, to HACCP procedures Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and to official control Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. It is not a legal title: see why there is no certificate under Regulation 852/2004.
Common errors
- Thinking IFS replaces public obligations. It adds to registration, HACCP and training Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004; it does not replace them.
- Confusing the IFS score with an authority's judgement. It is the outcome of a private third-party audit, not an administrative act.
- Choosing the scheme at random. Align with the customer's market: IFS for continental Europe, BRCGS for the UK, FSSC 22000 for international branded industry.
Frequently asked questions
Is IFS Food mandatory?
No. It is voluntary. The legal obligations are registration Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, HACCP Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and training Annex II, Chapter XII, point 1 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
How does it differ from BRCGS and FSSC 22000?
They are all GFSI-recognised schemes. IFS is Franco-German and also assesses quality and conformity to customer specifications; BRCGS is British; FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000. The choice depends on the target market.
How does the IFS score work?
The audit assigns a percentage of compliance and classifies the outcome into levels, with an obligation to address non-conformities within set deadlines. It is a private assessment, not a public act.
Is an IFS-certified company exempt from official controls?
No. The competent authority retains full control powers Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. The certificate does not replace public control.
Sources
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, consolidated text as of 24 March 2021: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02004R0852-20210324 — accessed 2026-07-12.
- IFS — International Featured Standards, IFS Food: https://www.ifs-certification.com/ — accessed 2026-07-12.
- GFSI — Recognised certification programmes: https://mygfsi.com/ — accessed 2026-07-12.
Drafting and review
ce85204 editorial team. Draft generated with AI from primary sources; editorial review AI-assisted (see methodology).