Standards Comparison

    ISO 50001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for energy management systems

    VS

    IFS Food

    Voluntary
    2023

    International standard for food safety and process compliance audits

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 50001 enables energy performance improvement across industries via EnMS, while IFS Food ensures food safety and quality for manufacturers through rigorous audits. Companies adopt ISO 50001 for cost savings and sustainability; IFS Food for retailer compliance and market access.

    Energy Management

    ISO 50001

    ISO 50001:2018 Energy management systems requirements

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

    Key Features

    • Demonstrable continual improvement in energy performance via EnPIs
    • Annex SL structure enables integration with ISO 9001/14001
    • Mandatory energy review identifies SEUs and improvement opportunities
    • Normalized energy baselines (EnBs) and data collection plan
    • Top management accountability without dedicated management representative
    Food Safety

    IFS Food

    IFS Food Version 8 Standard

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

    Key Features

    • Product and Process Approach with audit trails
    • Risk-based HACCP and operational controls
    • Annual audits with 50% on-site evaluation
    • Knock-Out requirements for critical failures
    • Unannounced audits for Star status

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 50001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 50001:2018 is an international certification standard specifying requirements for Energy Management Systems (EnMS). It provides a systematic framework to improve energy performance—efficiency, use, and consumption—across all sectors using the PDCA cycle and Annex SL High-Level Structure.

    Key Components

    • **Clauses 4-10Context, leadership, planning (energy review, SEUs, EnPIs, EnBs), support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Energy policy, data collection plan, operational controls, procurement criteria.
    • Built on continual improvement; optional third-party certification via ISO 50003.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces energy costs (4-20% savings), enhances resilience, supports GHG reductions.
    • Meets regulatory expectations (e.g., EU directives), boosts ESG credibility.
    • Integrates with ISO 9001/14001; provides competitive procurement edge.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, energy review, action plans, monitoring, audits.
    • Applicable to all sizes/sectors; requires metering investment, cross-functional teams.
    • Certification optional: Stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance.

    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 employs a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) focusing on food safety, quality, legality, authenticity, and customer specifications, applicable to sites processing food or packing loose products.

    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) criteria.
    • Built on HACCP principles, integrated pest management, and traceability.
    • Annual audits with scoring (Higher/ Foundation levels) and unannounced options.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets European retailer demands for private-label supply.
    • Reduces audit duplication, enhances market access.
    • Mitigates risks like recalls, fraud; builds stakeholder trust.
    • Drives continuous improvement via management reviews.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased gap analysis, FSMS design, training, validation, internal audits.
    • Targets food manufacturers globally; site-specific certification.
    • Requires accredited bodies, PPA audits (50% on-site).

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 50001
    Energy management systems (EnMS), performance improvement
    IFS Food
    Food safety, quality, legality in manufacturing processes

    Industry

    ISO 50001
    All sectors globally, any organization size
    IFS Food
    Food manufacturers, packagers, primarily Europe-focused

    Nature

    ISO 50001
    Voluntary ISO certification standard
    IFS Food
    GFSI-benchmarked voluntary food certification

    Testing

    ISO 50001
    Optional third-party audits per ISO 50003
    IFS Food
    Annual on-site product/process audits, traceability tests

    Penalties

    ISO 50001
    Loss of optional certification, no legal penalties
    IFS Food
    Certification denial/withdrawal, market access loss

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 50001 and IFS Food

    ISO 50001 FAQ

    IFS Food FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages