How Scores and Reports Lead to IFS Certification

When a food manufacturer completes an International Featured Standards (IFS) audit, the real work is just beginning. The journey from audit completion to receiving certification involves several critical steps that determine whether a facility earns recognition for its food safety and quality management systems. Understanding how scores translate into certification levels and what happens during the post-audit process helps food businesses navigate this crucial phase with confidence.

The corrective action plan submission process 🔗

After the on-site audit concludes, the auditor presents preliminary findings during a closing meeting. This initial feedback includes an overview of any non-conformities discovered and an estimated score range. However, this is just the starting point of a collaborative improvement process designed to strengthen food safety practices.

Within a specified timeframe, typically two to four weeks after receiving the preliminary report, the audited facility must submit a detailed corrective action plan addressing each identified non-conformity. This plan serves as a roadmap for resolving issues and preventing their recurrence. The corrective action plan must include several key components: a root cause analysis determining why each non-conformity occurred, immediate corrections to fix the specific issue, systematic corrective actions to prevent recurrence, clear implementation timelines with deadlines, and designated personnel responsible for each action.

The quality of the corrective action plan matters significantly. An inadequate corrective action plan can prevent certification even when the facility has achieved an acceptable score. Certification bodies carefully review each proposed action to ensure it addresses the underlying problem rather than just treating symptoms. If the proposed corrective actions are deemed insufficient, the certification body will return the plan to the facility for revision, which can delay the certification process.

Understanding the IFS scoring thresholds 🔗

The IFS scoring system provides a structured framework for evaluating compliance across all audit requirements. Each requirement receives a score based on the level of compliance observed during the audit. These individual scores contribute to an overall percentage that ultimately determines the certification level a facility can achieve.

The scoring scale includes several categories. Full compliance earns the maximum points, while minor deviations result in reduced scores. More significant gaps where parts of requirements remain unimplemented receive even lower scores, and complete failure to implement a requirement results in negative points. Additionally, certain critical requirements designated as knockout criteria receive special scrutiny, as failure in any of these areas results in automatic non-certification regardless of the overall score.

Foundation level certification 🔗

Facilities achieving a score between 75 and 95 percent earn Foundation Level certification. This level indicates the facility meets basic requirements for food safety and quality management but has significant opportunities for improvement. Foundation Level certification demonstrates to buyers that the facility has established fundamental systems for managing food safety risks, though these systems may not yet be fully mature.

Many food retailers and buyers accept Foundation Level certification, particularly for newer suppliers or those in the early stages of developing comprehensive food safety systems. However, competitive pressures in the marketplace often drive facilities to strive for the higher certification level in subsequent audits.

Higher level certification 🔗

A score above 95 percent earns the prestigious Higher Level certification. This achievement signals exceptional compliance with IFS requirements and represents a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. Higher Level certification demonstrates that the facility has established mature, effective systems for managing food safety and quality risks.

Facilities with Higher Level certification often experience tangible business benefits beyond market access. They typically undergo less frequent surveillance audits, resulting in cost savings and reduced operational disruption. Many companies leverage their Higher Level status in marketing materials and customer communications, using it as evidence of their commitment to excellence in food safety management.

When certification cannot be granted 🔗

Several scenarios prevent a facility from receiving certification. A score below 75 percent indicates substantial non-compliance with IFS requirements and automatically disqualifies the facility from certification. Additionally, even facilities with higher scores cannot receive certification if they fail any knockout requirement or have a major non-conformity in a critical area. When certification is denied, facilities must undergo a complete re-audit after implementing comprehensive improvements, typically waiting at least six weeks before attempting another audit.

The final audit report and its components 🔗

Once the certification body receives and approves the corrective action plan, it incorporates this information into the final audit report. This comprehensive document serves multiple purposes and provides transparency to various stakeholders. The report typically includes an audit overview with basic facility information, audit scope, dates, and auditor qualifications. An executive summary highlights key findings, the certification recommendation, and the final score.

The detailed evaluation section provides a point-by-point assessment of compliance with each IFS requirement. Non-conformity documentation includes specific details about each observed issue with supporting evidence. The corrective action plan section outlines the facility’s response to each finding and planned improvements, along with verification steps explaining how and when corrective actions will be confirmed.

While certification status is often publicly disclosed, the detailed audit report itself remains confidential between the certification body, the audited facility, and authorized stakeholders such as customers who require this documentation. Many companies choose to share selected portions of their audit reports with customers as evidence of their commitment to food safety and transparency, though this sharing remains voluntary and strategic.

The certification decision and certificate issuance 🔗

After reviewing the final audit report and approved corrective action plan, the certification body makes the formal certification decision. This decision considers the overall audit score, the presence of any knockout or major non-conformities, and the adequacy of the corrective action plan. When all criteria are met, the certification body issues an official IFS certificate.

The certificate includes several important elements. It specifies the scope of certification, identifying which products, processes, and activities are covered. The certification level clearly indicates whether the facility achieved Foundation or Higher Level status. A unique certificate number allows for verification purposes, and the audit score typically appears as a percentage or range. The validity period is normally one year from the certification decision date, and the certificate also specifies the next audit window when the renewal audit must occur.

Maintaining certification through continuous improvement 🔗

Receiving an IFS certificate marks an important milestone, but it also begins a new phase of responsibility. Certified facilities must maintain their food safety and quality management systems at the certified level or better throughout the certification period. This requires ongoing vigilance and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The certification cycle operates on an annual basis, with facilities required to undergo renewal audits to maintain their certified status. The certification typically remains valid for one year, after which a recertification audit must be completed. Forward-thinking food manufacturers recognize that IFS certification is not merely a compliance exercise but a valuable business improvement tool that drives operational excellence.

Companies that embrace the process often realize benefits beyond market access. The scoring system inherently drives continuous improvement as facilities strive to move from Foundation to Higher Level certification. This progression typically follows a pattern where initial certification focuses on meeting basic requirements, often achieving Foundation Level. The first renewal addresses major gaps identified in the initial audit, potentially moving the facility to Higher Level status. Subsequent audits demonstrate sustained compliance and continued enhancement of food safety practices.

The strategic value of transparent reporting 🔗

The comprehensive nature of IFS audit reports and corrective action plans provides food manufacturers with valuable insights into their operations. Savvy companies use these documents as strategic planning tools, identifying priority areas for investment and improvement in their food safety systems. The transparent reporting structure ensures that all stakeholders understand the facility’s current status and improvement trajectory.

Beyond compliance requirements, the discipline of developing thorough corrective action plans and maintaining detailed documentation creates a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Facilities that excel in these areas often find that the benefits extend well beyond passing audits. They experience fewer food safety incidents, reduced waste, improved operational efficiency, and stronger relationships with customers who value their commitment to quality and transparency.

What do you think? How effectively does your facility’s current approach to corrective action planning address the root causes of non-conformities rather than just immediate fixes? What systems could you implement to ensure that lessons learned from one audit continuously improve your food safety management rather than being forgotten until the next audit cycle?

References

1. https://goaudits.com/blog/ifs-audits/
2. https://certima.org/certification/ifs-food/
3. https://www.nsf.org/food-beverage/ifs-logistics-certification