IFS Progress
An important step in the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to professional food safety management systems, IFS Progress is an entry-level certification program designed to be implemented prior to full transition to the IFS Food Standard.
What is IFS Progress?
IFS Progress is a less comprehensive compliance program for businesses that are not ready to implement all the requirements of the IFS Food Standard, but support safety and quality. The program provides SMEs with an internationally recognized platform and facilitates their recognition as suppliers in industrial and retail chains.
The program has two levels:
Basic Level: Includes the minimum requirements of food safety; covers areas such as basic hygiene, production processes and document management.
Intermediate Level: In addition to the basic level, it requires the implementation of HACCP and quality processes.
Companies with IFS Progress have visibility in the IFS database and thus gain an advantage in the commercial market.
Why IFS Progress?
Designed specifically for SMEs, this approach provides a strong starting point for effectively managing food safety systems without having to meet the complex requirements of larger companies. It is also an important preparatory stage on the path to GFSI-accredited certification, facilitating the transition from IFS Progress to IFS Food and other IFS standards. Recognition by retailers and wholesalers in the international market increases the visibility of companies, while supporting supplier management and development, enabling businesses to audit, evaluate and continuously improve their own suppliers.
Certification Process
1
Application and Quotation
The scope and duration of the audit is determined according to the size of the company, the number of employees and the number of processes.
2
Signing the Contract
The obligations of the parties, scope, audit date and fees are clarified.
3
Audit Planning
The experts who will conduct the audit and the visit schedule are determined. Your existing certification system is analyzed; if necessary, possible deficiencies are identified by pre-audit.
4
On-site Audit
With the site visit; the entire chain is monitored from raw material entry to shipment, from personnel hygiene to equipment validation. Completeness of records and adequacy of implementation are checked at this stage.
5
Audit Report and Notification
After the audit is completed, nonconformities are reported. After the nonconformities are closed, the final report is prepared and uploaded to the IFS Database. In case of compliance, it is approved and the certificate is issued.
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Benefits with IFS Progress
- Strong step for international market entry
- Increasing the competitiveness of SMEs
- Dissemination of food safety culture throughout the organization
- Controlled and planned management of costs
- Easy transition to advanced standards such as IFS Food
Common Mistakes
Inconsistencies between documentation and practice in the field
Incomplete or inadequate HACCP plan
Lack of complete and continuous trainings
Inadequate monitoring and record keeping at critical control points
