IFS Food
GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety and quality
ISO 17025
International standard for testing and calibration laboratory competence.
Quick Verdict
IFS Food ensures food manufacturing safety and retailer compliance via annual audits, while ISO 17025 accredits labs for competent, impartial testing. Food producers adopt IFS for market access; labs pursue 17025 for result credibility and regulatory acceptance.
IFS Food
IFS Food Version 8
Key Features
- Product and Process Approach with traceability tests
- Minimum 50% audit time in production areas
- Risk-based scoring and Knock-Out requirements
- Annual audits with mandatory unannounced frequency
- Senior management governance and food safety culture
ISO 17025
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for testing and calibration laboratories
Key Features
- Impartiality and confidentiality as core general requirements
- Personnel competence lifecycle management and authorization
- Metrological traceability and equipment calibration controls
- Measurement uncertainty evaluation and decision rules
- Risk-based thinking in processes and management system
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 food manufacturers' product and process compliance. It focuses on food safety, quality, legality, authenticity, and customer requirements using a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) with on-site verification.
Key Components
- Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, operational controls (e.g., allergens, fraud, defense), and performance monitoring.
- Over 200 checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) items.
- Built on HACCP principles, prerequisite programs, and annual audits.
- Scoring system (A/B/C/D) with Higher/Foundation levels; unannounced audits for Star status.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets European retailer demands for market access.
- Reduces duplicate audits, enhances supply chain trust.
- Manages risks like recalls, fraud; boosts resilience and efficiency.
- Demonstrates due diligence for legal/compliance needs.
Implementation Overview
- Phased gap analysis, FSMS design, training, validation, certification audit.
- Applies to food processing sites globally; annual recertification.
- Requires ISO 17065-accredited bodies; 6-12 months typical timeline.
ISO 17025 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 17025:2017, titled General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, is an international standard for accreditation. It ensures competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of labs through a risk-based, performance-oriented approach across general, structural, resource, process, and management system requirements.
Key Components
- Eight core elements: general (impartiality/confidentiality), structural, resources (personnel, facilities, equipment), processes (methods, sampling, uncertainty), management systems (Option A/B).
- Focuses on metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty, method validation, and proficiency testing.
- Built on risk-based thinking, aligned with ISO 9001.
- Accreditation model via ILAC-recognized bodies assessing technical competence.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enables market access, regulatory acceptance, and international result recognition.
- Mitigates risks from invalid results, enhances trust with customers/regulators.
- Provides competitive edge via credible, traceable outputs; reduces rework and disputes.
Implementation Overview
- Phased PDCA: gap analysis, documentation, training, validation, audits.
- Applies to labs in testing/calibration across industries; 12-18 months typical.
- Requires accreditation audits with witnessed activities.
Key Differences
| Aspect | IFS Food | ISO 17025 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food manufacturing processes and safety | Laboratory testing/calibration competence |
| Industry | Food production, global retailers | Testing/calibration labs, all sectors |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked certification standard | Accreditation for technical competence |
| Testing | Annual product/process audits, traceability | Witnessed tests, proficiency testing |
| Penalties | Certification loss, market exclusion | Accreditation withdrawal, result rejection |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IFS Food and ISO 17025
IFS Food FAQ
ISO 17025 FAQ
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