Deadline Calendar

The IFS Food Standard Version 8 has now been published. Audits based on IFS Food Version 8 will be possible from 1 October 2023. From 1 January 2024, IFS Food Version 8 must be implemented in certified companies. Only IFS audits based on version 8 will then be possible. For unannounced audits, IFS Food Version 8 will be applied if the audit window starts on or after 01 October 2023.

The IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry Standard Version 3 has been revised and adapted to the needs of wholesalers, cash & carry businesses and packaging companies. It has also been harmonised with other IFS standards with the aim of increasing flexibility and efficiency.

In the following, we would like to inform you about the main changes to IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry Version 3:

• Fewer modules (two instead of four) and standardised checklists for wholesalers and cash & carry operations
• Optimised protocol and improved structure along the audit path
• Harmonisation of the certification process, assessment system and terminology with other IFS standards such as IFS Food and IFS Logistics
• Optional unannounced audits possible, marked by an asterisk in the logo, certificate and report
• Extended applicability of the optimised checklist to food delivery services
• New logo in a new colour scheme
• Updated evaluation system
• IFS Star status for unannounced audits
• At least 50% of the audit time on site by the auditor (reduction possible in certain cases)
• Action plan by the certification body within two weeks of the audit (preliminary report not applicable)

The timetable for the changeover is as follows:

• Audits according to version 3 are possible from 01 May 2025.
• The application of version 3 will be mandatory for all certified companies from 1 November 2025.

What do you need to do now to maintain your IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry certification?

• Find out in detail about the new version 3 on the IFS website: ifs-certification.com
• Compare the requirements with your current processes.
• Plan the changeover in good time by 01 November 2025.
• Contact your certification body to discuss details and the schedule for your next audit.

In 2024, the standard was renamed IFS Progress Food. This name change has not resulted in any changes to the content. From 15 May 2024, the new IFS Progress Food logo must be used uniformly, which is available directly in the document area of the IFS database. The IFS Progress Food standard is a development programme, as it is primarily intended to support food suppliers in the gradual development of comprehensive processes for food safety and quality. Further information can be found on our IFS Progress Standard website.

From 30 May 2023, the requirements of the CoC Module will apply to ASC fishery products. The basis for ASC supply chain security will continue to be ensured through MSC CoC certification under a streamlined certification process, allowing companies trading both ASC and MSC certified seafood to continue to operate efficiently. The module is mandatory for all ASC CoC certificate holders and for CoC audits with ASC products in scope from 30 May 2023.

The BRCGS Food Standard Version 9 is valid from 01.02.2023 and must be applied from this date. New or amended requirements can be found in particular in the following areas:

• Incorporation of the benchmark criteria of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI 2020)
• Detailed requirements for the development of a food safety culture.
• For more changes to BRCGS Food Version 9, please visit our BRCGS Food webpage.

In our webinar on the new version of the BRCGS Food Standard, we inform you about all the planned changes and the impact on your business.

Version 6 of the FSSC 22000 food safety standard was published in April 2023 and is mandatory from 01 April 2024. The changeover in the applying companies must have taken place by 31 March 2025. As audit reports have to be uploaded into the FSSC database within 8 weeks, the complete conversion process has to be finalised by 31 May 2025.

Important change for companies certified to the FSSC 22000 food safety standard: As of the deadline of January 31, 2023, they will receive a unique identification number, the Certified Organization Identification Code (COID). With this code, unique identification is now possible even if the certifier changes! Further information here!

Version 3 of the IFS Logistics Standard was published in December 2023. The update affects companies that are involved in the areas of transport, storage, distribution and loading in the supply chains for wholesale and retail.  IFS Logistics Version 3 audits are possible from 1 June 2024 and must be carried out from 1 December 2024.

The new version of the standard is characterised by fewer requirements as well as an optimised protocol, a clear structure and an improved scoring system. This makes the standard not only easier to understand, but also easier to implement.

The main changes at a glance:

• Reduction of requirements: The IFS Logistics Standard Version 3 focuses on fewer requirements, an optimised protocol and a clear structure that consistently follows the audit trail.
• New area for animal feed: An additional area for animal feed has been added and two further logistical processing services have been introduced - simple sorting of fruit and vegetables and labelling.
• Extended scope: The scope of IFS Logistics has been extended and clarified, in particular for the short-term storage/transport of containers, the organisation of logistics activities and exclusion rules. Partially outsourced logistics processing services have been integrated into the standard.
• B-score as deviation: The B-score is now classified as a deviation again, allowing companies to define corrective and remedial actions to continuously improve their performance.
• IFS Star status: A new IFS Star status indicates that the audit was unannounced. Supply chain partners can therefore immediately recognise that the certified company stands out.
• International conformity: The standard has been harmonised with the Codex Alimentarius and ISO/IEC 17065, GFSI benchmarking requirements and takes into account ISO 22003-2.

The most important changes in BRCGS Global Standard Packaging Materials Version 7 compared to Version 6 are described in detail in the document "Key Changes Publication". . 

BRCGS published the latest edition of its Packaging Materials Standard. The new version 7 was published on 28 October 2024. You can find out about the most important changes in the new version on the BRCGS website. This document is available on the BRCGS website. In particular, topics such as the further development of the product safety culture, updating the requirements for hazard analyses and risk assessments, continuous improvement and global applicability come to the fore with the new version. Another important aspect is the integration of current industry trends, such as the use of disposable products. The new version 7 is mandatory from 28 April 2025. Detailed information on training courses and webinars on the introduction of the new version can be found on the website,

Most important changes in the new version 7

The most important changes in BRCGS Global Standard Packaging Materials Version 7 compared to Version 6 are described in detail in the document "Key Changes Publication".  

The most important topics that have been revised in version 7 are

• Strengthening the product safety culture
• Updating the requirements for hazard analysis and the risk management system in accordance with the Codex Alimentarius
• Continuous improvement processes and implementation of systems
• Global applicability and consideration of the current GFSI benchmarking requirements
• In addition, version 7 has been expanded to include current industry trends and practices, such as the inclusion of single-use products.