ISO 31000
International guidelines for enterprise risk management
IFS Food
GFSI standard for food safety and process compliance
Quick Verdict
ISO 31000 offers voluntary risk management guidelines for all organizations, enhancing decision-making universally. IFS Food mandates certifiable food safety audits for manufacturers, ensuring compliance with retailer specs. Companies adopt ISO 31000 for resilience; IFS Food for market access.
ISO 31000
ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines
IFS Food
IFS Food Version 8
Key Features
- Product and Process Approach with traceability tests
- Minimum 50% on-site production area evaluation
- Risk-based HACCP and KO critical requirements
- Annual audits with unannounced options
- Food fraud and defense vulnerability assessments
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 31000 Details
What It Is
ISO 31000:2018, Risk management — Guidelines is an international standard providing non-certifiable principles, framework, and process for managing risks. Its primary purpose is systematic handling of uncertainty affecting objectives, applicable to any organization type, size, or sector. It uses a principles-based, iterative approach focused on value creation and protection.
Key Components
- **Three pillarsEight principles (e.g., integrated, customized, dynamic), leadership-driven framework (PDCA-like: design, implement, evaluate, improve), and six-step process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/review, recording/reporting).
- No fixed controls; flexible guidelines emphasizing continual improvement.
- Non-certifiable; relies on internal governance and audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Enhances decision-making, resilience, and strategic execution; reframes risk as opportunity. Drives compliance alignment, reduces losses, builds stakeholder trust. Offers competitive edge via integrated risk thinking without certification burden.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: leadership commitment, gap analysis, pilot process, enterprise integration, ongoing monitoring. Involves policy, roles, tools like risk registers/GRC platforms. Suited for all sizes/industries; no external certification needed, focuses on cultural embedding.
IFS Food Details
What It Is
IFS Food Version 8 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, auditing product and process compliance to ensure safe, legal, authentic products meeting customer specs. It uses a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) with on-site verification and traceability tests.
Key Components
- Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, resources, operations, performance (5 sections, ~200 requirements)
- 10 Knock-Out (KO) critical items (e.g., traceability, CCP monitoring)
- Built on HACCP, integrated pest management, food fraud/defense
- Annual audits by ISO/IEC 17065-accredited bodies; Higher/Foundation levels via scoring
Why Organizations Use It
- Essential for European retailer/private-label access
- Reduces audit duplication, builds supply chain trust
- Mitigates risks (recalls, contamination, fraud)
- Enhances food safety culture, operational resilience
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, FSMS build, training, validation, internal audits
- Site-specific for processors; 6-12 months typical
- Involves management reviews, unannounced audits optional
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 31000 | IFS Food |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Enterprise risk management guidelines | Food manufacturing safety/quality compliance |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide | Food processing/packaging primarily Europe |
| Nature | Non-certifiable voluntary guidelines | GFSI certifiable audit standard |
| Testing | Internal monitoring/reviews | Annual on-site product/process audits |
| Penalties | No formal penalties | Certification withdrawal/loss of market access |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 31000 and IFS Food
ISO 31000 FAQ
IFS Food FAQ
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