IFS HPC - How to obtain certification

IFS HPC certification: optimising risk management and protecting consumers

The demand for quality and safety for household and personal care products has increased in recent years. With certification according to International Featured Standard – Household/Personal Care, in short IFS HPC – you will react to these challenges and ensure more transparency, safety and quality in your production and processes. You also reduce product risks, save costs over the long term, win new customers and secure access to the market.

The IFS HPC Standard assesses the safety and quality of household and personal care products. It includes all relevant factors along the entire supply chain. IFS HPC is used when products are processed or if there is a risk of product contamination during initial packaging. Our experienced auditors will provide competent guidance through an efficient certification process. The standard is accredited by DAkkS.

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Who can benefit from IFS HPC certification?

The IFS HPC Standard is relevant if your company works with one or several of the following four product categories:

Cosmetic products / personal care products with skin contact (e.g. body lotion, shampoo, makeup etc.)
Household chemical products (e.g. window cleaning agents, air freshener sprays disinfectants etc.)
Household products / materials in contact with food which are sold directly to the final consumer (e.g. disposable plates and cups, disposable cutlery, rubbish bags etc.)
Personal hygiene products with skin contact (e.g. toothbrushes, razors, cleansing wipes etc.)

Benefits of the IFS HPC certificate

Continuous monitoring of compliance with health and safety legislation
Evidence for your trading partners of adherence to the highest standards with the IFS Logo and the IFS certificate
Internationally recognised
Less need for customer audits

Avoidance of multiple or duplicate audits
Increased efficiency for your organization
Positioning as manufacturer of high-quality and safe household and personal care products

TÜV NORD Whitepaper on IFS HPC Certification

Whitepaper IFS HPC Certification

For a more in-depth understanding of the IFS Standard for Household and Cosmetic Products (HPC), we provide a white paper.

Purpose of IFS HPC certification

Rising expectations on the part of consumers and an increasingly complex supply chain: organizations working in the areas of household and personal care products are faced with ever-increasing demands. As products in this area have a direct impact on the health and safety of customers, transparency within companies and the market as a whole is required in the area of so-called non-food products. Certification according to IFS HPC is one way in which companies can meet these challenges.

The IFS HPC standard is used to assess the safety and quality of household and personal care products. It is one of series of IFS certifications in the area of food, products and services. Other standards are, for example:

IFS HPC ensures that certified companies produce a consistent product which fulfils customer requirements. The certificate is renewed at regular intervals. This means that certified companies are always in line with current legislation and also permanently develop and improve. Auditors assess the organizations according to unified standards throughout the world. The IFS HPC certificate is valid throughout the world. IFS HPD is based on quality management standard DIN EN ISO 9001.

IFS HPC: The route to your certificate

FAQs about IFS HPC

What is the IFS HPC Standard?

The IFS HPC Standard (International Featured Standard – Household/Personal/Care) assesses the safety and quality of household and personal care products. It includes all the relevant factors (products/processes) of suppliers and manufacturers. IFS HPC is used where products are „processed“ or where packaging involves the risk of product contamination.

What are the benefits of the standard?

Certification according to the IFS HPC Standard offers decisive benefits:

At the company level:

Continual monitoring of compliance with health and safety legislation
Reduction in the need for customer audits
Greater efficiency and effectiveness through better use of resources
At the marketing level:
Positioning as a manufacturer of high-quality and safe household and personal care products
Use of the IFS logo and certificate provides evidence of compliance with the highest standards.

What changes with version 3 of IFS HPC?

IFS HPC version 3 was published in December 2022. The transition period begins in July 2023. From September 2023, the application of version 3 must be mandatory. (Source: IFS HPC Verion 3 Newsletter for Industry 12/2022)

The current version 3 of the IFS HPC standard contains several innovations for companies in the cosmetics and household products manufacturing industry. The most important are, among others, the following:

Unannounced audits can now be carried out on a voluntary basis. With an unannounced audit, companies can demonstrate their high level of safety. If you would like to have an unannounced audit carried out, please contact us at foodcert@tuev-nord.de.
The new version of the standard requires the introduction of a product safety culture. This is defined by implementing values, beliefs and standards that influence the way of thinking and behaviour in relation to product safety holistically within a company. The implementation and maintenance of a sustainable product safety culture by management ensures the integrity and quality of products.
The revision of the IFS HPC standard is aligned with the requirements of ISO 22716 for cosmetics GMP. Cross-references between the two standards are listed in version 3.

Who needs the IFS HPC Standard?

The IFS HPC Standard is relevant if your company works with one of several of the following four product categories:

Cosmetic products / personal care products with skin contact (e.g. body lotion, shampoo, makeup etc.)
Household chemical products (e.g. window cleaning agents, air freshener sprays disinfectants etc.)
Household products / materials in contact with food which are sold directly to the final consumer (e.g. disposable plates and cups, disposable cutlery, rubbish bags etc.)

Personal hygiene products with skin contact (e.g. toothbrushes, razors, cleansing wipes etc.)

Who are the auditors?

Our expert auditors have wide-ranging professional and auditing experience in their field and their expertise forms the basis for a useful and successful IFS HPC audit. Our auditors undertake ongoing training so that they are always at the forefront of technology. Contact us and we will provide the competence you need.

IFS HPC certification from TÜV NORD CERT: the benefit to you

We provide reliable and independent advice, and our experienced and expert team will support you in your certification process from the very beginning. Our worldwide TÜV NORD network and the knowledge of many interdisciplinary experts will also be fully at your disposal to cover the international aspects of your business, and so your audit process will remain efficient and transparent.

With TÜV NORD CERT as certification body you will also benefit from worldwide recognition of the TÜV brand. We stand for objectivity, neutrality and competence.

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