Standards Comparison

    IFS Food

    Voluntary
    2023

    GFSI standard for food safety, quality and process compliance

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    EU harmonized standard for steel and aluminium structures.

    Quick Verdict

    IFS Food ensures food safety and quality certification for manufacturers via GFSI audits, while EN 1090 mandates CE marking for structural steel/aluminium through FPC and Notified Body oversight. Food firms gain retailer trust; constructors secure EU market access.

    Food Safety

    IFS Food

    IFS Food Version 8

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Product and Process Approach with audit trail sampling
    • Minimum 50% on-site production area evaluation
    • Risk-based food fraud and defense assessments
    • Annual audits with mandatory unannounced frequency
    • Structured scoring and Knock-Out requirements
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based Execution Classes EXC1-EXC4
    • Factory Production Control FPC certification
    • CE marking for EU market access
    • Welding quality management via ISO 3834
    • Material traceability and NDT inspection

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    IFS Food Details

    What It Is

    IFS Food Version 8 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification standard for auditing product and process compliance in food manufacturing. It applies to sites processing food products or packing loose foods with contamination risks. The risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) emphasizes on-site verification, traceability tests, and real-time evidence over documentation alone.

    Key Components

    • Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, operational controls, and performance monitoring.
    • Over 200 checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria.
    • Built on HACCP, PRPs, and emerging integrity topics like food fraud/defense.
    • Annual certification with scoring (Higher/Foundation levels) and unannounced audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets European retailer demands for private-label supply.
    • Reduces duplicate audits, enhances market access.
    • Manages risks in safety, legality, authenticity.
    • Builds trust via Star status and database transparency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, FSMS design, validation, internal audits, certification.
    • Applies to food manufacturers globally, site-specific.
    • Requires accredited bodies, PPA audits (≥50% on-site).

    EN 1090 Details

    What It Is

    EN 1090 is a family of European harmonized standards (EN 1090-1, -2, -3) under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). It governs the execution, fabrication, and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components and kits for construction works. The primary purpose is ensuring consistent performance through risk-based Execution Classes (EXC1-EXC4), enabling CE marking for EEA market access.

    Key Components

    • **EN 1090-1Conformity assessment, Factory Production Control (FPC) certification by Notified Bodies.
    • **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for steel/aluminium (welding, tolerances, corrosion protection, inspection/NDT).
    • Core principles: Risk scaling via consequence/service/production categories; ISO 3834 welding alignment.
    • Compliance model: FPC certification, initial type testing/calculation (ITT/ITC), ongoing surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for CE marking load-bearing components; drives market access, liability reduction. Benefits: Risk control, quality assurance, competitive tenders. Builds stakeholder trust via traceability and certified capability.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: Gap analysis, FPC design, personnel training (welding coordinators), NB certification. Targets fabricators in EU/UK construction; 6-12 months typical, audits required.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    IFS Food
    Food safety, quality, processes in manufacturing
    EN 1090
    Structural steel/aluminium execution, conformity

    Industry

    IFS Food
    Food manufacturing, global retailers especially Europe
    EN 1090
    Construction, steel/aluminium fabrication, EU/EEA

    Nature

    IFS Food
    GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard
    EN 1090
    Harmonized CPR standard, mandatory CE marking

    Testing

    IFS Food
    Annual product/process audits, 50% on-site
    EN 1090
    FPC certification, initial/surveillance by Notified Body

    Penalties

    IFS Food
    Loss of certification, market access denial
    EN 1090
    Legal prohibition, fines, market withdrawal

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about IFS Food and EN 1090

    IFS Food FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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