How to Select a Certifying Body for IFS Audits

When pursuing IFS certification for your food business, one of your most critical decisions is selecting the right certifying body to conduct your audit. This choice directly impacts not only the audit experience but also the credibility and global acceptance of your certification. Understanding what to look for in a certifying body helps ensure you’re making an informed decision that supports your business goals.

Why accreditation matters for IFS certifying bodies 🔗

Not all certifying bodies are authorized to conduct IFS audits. To become an IFS partner, certification bodies must hold accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17065, the international standard that specifies requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services. This standard replaced the earlier EN 45011 designation and ensures certification bodies operate with competence, consistency, and impartiality.

ISO/IEC 17065 establishes requirements intended to facilitate the recognition of certification bodies and the acceptance of certified products, processes, and services on both national and international levels. When a certifying body holds this accreditation, it demonstrates they have been independently assessed and verified to meet rigorous operational standards. This includes maintaining proper quality management systems, ensuring auditor competence, and operating without conflicts of interest.

For your business, working with an accredited certifying body means your IFS certificate will carry weight in the marketplace. IFS cooperates with national accreditation bodies like DAkkS in Germany and is recognized by the European Accreditation (EA) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF), creating a global framework of trust and acceptance.

Auditor language proficiency requirements 🔗

Language barriers during an audit can lead to misunderstandings, incomplete assessments, and unnecessary complications. That’s why IFS standards place significant emphasis on language compatibility between auditors and the companies they assess.

IFS requires that auditors performing audits have relevant education, audit experience, hygiene training, language competence, and specific practical knowledge within defined product scopes. The language requirement isn’t just about basic communication-auditors need to understand technical terminology, production processes, and documentation in the language used at your facility.

The audit should preferably be carried out in the language of the company, and the certification body should make every attempt to appoint an auditor whose native language or main working language matches the company’s language. This ensures accurate assessment of your food safety systems, proper understanding of your documentation, and meaningful conversations with your staff during interviews.

What if no auditor speaks your language? 🔗

In cases where a certifying body cannot provide an auditor proficient in your company’s language, interpreters may be used under specific conditions. The interpreter must have a technical background or be an approved auditor for another food safety standard, and must remain independent from your company to avoid conflicts of interest. When interpreters are used, expect the audit duration to increase by approximately 20% to ensure thorough assessment.

The importance of a detailed contract 🔗

Before any audit takes place, you must establish a formal contract with your chosen certifying body. This isn’t just a formality-it’s a critical document that protects both parties and sets clear expectations for the certification process.

A contract must exist between the company and the certification body detailing the scope of the audit, the duration, and reporting requirements. The scope section should clearly define which products, processes, or services will be audited, leaving no room for ambiguity about what’s included or excluded from the assessment.

Essential contract elements 🔗

Your contract should specify the minimum audit duration based on factors like your facility size, product complexity, number of employees, and the scope of products being certified. The certifying body uses established methodologies to calculate appropriate audit time, ensuring sufficient coverage of all relevant requirements.

The contract must also reference the IFS Integrity Program, which allows quality assurance personnel from IFS offices to conduct on-site checks at certified companies. This program helps maintain the credibility of the entire IFS certification system by monitoring audit quality and auditor performance.

Reporting requirements outlined in the contract establish how findings will be documented, what format the audit report will take, when you’ll receive results, and the process for addressing any non-conformities discovered during the audit. Clear reporting expectations help you prepare for what comes after the audit and understand your responsibilities in the corrective action process.

Evaluating a certifying body’s technical competence 🔗

Beyond basic accreditation requirements, you should evaluate whether a certifying body has auditors qualified for your specific product categories and technology scopes. IFS certification covers diverse sectors from food processing to packaging materials, each requiring specialized knowledge.

Ask potential certifying bodies about their auditor pool. Do they have auditors experienced in your specific product categories? Can they demonstrate knowledge of the technologies and processes relevant to your operations? Certification bodies can have auditors qualified for one or several scopes and standards, so confirming alignment with your needs is essential.

Questions to ask before making your choice 🔗

When evaluating certifying bodies, ask about their experience with companies similar to yours in size, product type, and complexity. Request information about their auditor training programs and how they ensure auditor competence remains current with evolving IFS requirements.

Inquire about their audit scheduling flexibility and responsiveness to questions during the certification process. Find out how they handle situations where non-conformities are identified, and what support they provide to help you address issues. Understanding their customer service approach helps set realistic expectations for the working relationship.

Don’t hesitate to ask for references from other companies they’ve certified, particularly those in your industry sector. Speaking with peers who’ve worked with the certifying body provides valuable insights into their professionalism, thoroughness, and overall effectiveness.

Making your final decision 🔗

Selecting a certifying body for your IFS audit requires balancing several factors: proper accreditation credentials, auditor language capabilities, transparent contracting practices, technical expertise in your product categories, and a track record of professional service. While cost certainly matters, it shouldn’t be your sole deciding factor. The right certifying body becomes a partner in your food safety journey, not just an assessor checking boxes on an audit form.

Take time to research your options, ask detailed questions, and choose a certifying body that demonstrates genuine understanding of your business needs. Your investment in this decision pays dividends through smoother audits, more valuable feedback, and a certification that truly reflects your commitment to food safety excellence.

What do you think? Have you considered how language compatibility with your auditor might affect your audit experience? What aspects of the contract with your certifying body do you consider most important to protect your interests?

References

1. https://www.ifs-certification.com/en/partner-network/certification-bodies
2. https://anab.ansi.org/standard/iso-iec-17065/
3. https://www.ifs-certification.com/en/ifs-portfolio/accreditation
4. https://www.ifs-certification.com/en/auditors
5. https://ifs-standard.com/index.php/en/industry-en/ifs-certification-process-en/2688-ifs-certification-process-en