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.

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: https://www.tuev-nord.de/en/company/certification/fssc-22000/

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.