Standards Comparison

    IFS Food

    Voluntary
    2023

    GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety and quality

    VS

    ISO 56002

    Voluntary
    2019

    International guidance standard for innovation management systems

    Quick Verdict

    IFS Food ensures food safety and quality via GFSI audits for manufacturers, while ISO 56002 guides innovation systems for all organizations. Food firms adopt IFS for retailer access; others use ISO 56002 to systematize value creation.

    Food Safety

    IFS Food

    IFS Food Version 8 Standard

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

    Key Features

    • Product and Process Approach with traceability tests
    • Minimum 50% audit time in production areas
    • Risk-based HACCP and operational controls integration
    • Knock-Out requirements for governance and hygiene
    • Annual audits with unannounced Star status option
    Innovation Management

    ISO 56002

    ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system — Guidance

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • PDCA cycle for continual IMS improvement
    • Leadership commitment and portfolio governance
    • Balanced KPIs for performance evaluation
    • Non-prescriptive, adaptable to all organizations
    • Integration with existing ISO management systems

    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, and performance monitoring.
    • Over 200 checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria.
    • Built on HACCP principles, integrated pest management, and emerging risks like food fraud/defense.
    • Annual certification via accredited bodies with scoring (Higher/Foundation levels).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets European retailer demands for private-label supply.
    • Reduces duplicate audits, enhances market access.
    • Manages risks in recalls, contamination, fraud.
    • Builds stakeholder trust through transparent database and Star status.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased gap analysis, FSMS development, training, internal audits.
    • Targets food processors globally; site-specific.
    • Requires PPA audits with 50% on-site time and traceability tests.

    ISO 56002 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 56002:2019 is an international guidance standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). It provides a generic, non-prescriptive framework applicable to all organizations, focusing on transforming innovation into a strategic capability via the PDCA cycle.

    Key Components

    • Seven core clauses (4-10): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leadership, strategic direction, culture, insights exploitation, uncertainty management, adaptability, systems thinking.
    • Built on Annex SL structure for integration with ISO standards like 9001; no fixed controls, emphasizes tailoring.
    • Guidance only; pairs with certifiable ISO 56001.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives repeatable value from innovation, improves ROI, reduces waste.
    • Enhances resilience, agility, stakeholder trust; no legal mandate but strategic for competitiveness.
    • Manages risks like project failure, IP issues; boosts culture and partnerships.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: diagnostic, design, pilot (6-12 months), scale (12-18 months).
    • Involves leadership commitment, portfolio governance, KPIs, audits.
    • Suits all sizes/sectors; voluntary, optional certification via ISO 56001.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    IFS Food
    Food safety, quality, legality in manufacturing
    ISO 56002
    Innovation management system across all sectors

    Industry

    IFS Food
    Food manufacturing, post-farm supply chain
    ISO 56002
    All industries, any organization type/size

    Nature

    IFS Food
    GFSI-benchmarked certification standard
    ISO 56002
    Voluntary guidance framework, non-certifiable

    Testing

    IFS Food
    Annual on-site product/process audits
    ISO 56002
    Internal audits, management reviews

    Penalties

    IFS Food
    Certification loss, no legal fines
    ISO 56002
    No penalties, internal improvement only

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about IFS Food and ISO 56002

    IFS Food FAQ

    ISO 56002 FAQ

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