Standards Comparison

    ITIL

    Voluntary
    2019

    Best-practices framework for IT service management

    VS

    IFS Food

    Voluntary
    2023

    Global standard for food safety and process compliance

    Quick Verdict

    ITIL provides best practices for IT service management worldwide, enabling efficient ITSM and digital alignment. IFS Food mandates GFSI certification for food manufacturers, ensuring product safety, quality, and retailer compliance through rigorous audits.

    IT Service Management

    ITIL

    ITIL 4 IT Service Management Framework

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

    Key Features

    • Service Value System for holistic value co-creation
    • 34 flexible practices across management categories
    • Seven guiding principles directing agile decisions
    • Four dimensions ensuring balanced service management
    • Integrated continual improvement model throughout
    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
    • Risk-based HACCP and prerequisite programs
    • Minimum 50% on-site audit evaluation time
    • 10 Knock-Out requirements for critical controls
    • Annual audits with unannounced Star status option

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ITIL Details

    What It Is

    ITIL 4, the current ITIL framework for IT Service Management (ITSM), provides flexible best practices to align IT services with business objectives. It uses a value-driven Service Value System (SVS) approach, evolving from process-centric models to agile, holistic guidance.

    Key Components

    • **SVS elements7 guiding principles, governance, service value chain (6 activities), 34 practices (general/service/technical), continual improvement.
    • Four dimensions: organizations/people, information/technology, partners/suppliers, value streams/processes.
    • Certification from Foundation to Managing Professional/Strategic Leader via PeopleCert.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Delivers cost savings, 87% global adoption, improved quality/alignment, risk mitigation (e.g., cyber resilience).
    • Boosts customer satisfaction, integrates DevOps/Agile/SRE.
    • Enhances reputation through proven ROI (10:1 to 38:1), common language.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased ten-step roadmap: assess gaps, tailor practices, train teams.
    • Suits all sizes/industries; start small for SMEs.
    • Voluntary; certifications recommended for maturity. (178 words)

    IFS Food Details

    What It Is

    IFS Food (International Featured Standards Food) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers. It audits product and process compliance ensuring safe, legal, authentic products meeting customer specs via a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA).

    Key Components

    • Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, resources, operations, performance (Sections 1-5)
    • Hundreds of checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria
    • Built on HACCP, integrated pest management, food fraud/defense
    • Annual scoring-based certification (Higher ≥95%, Foundation ≥75%)

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Essential for European retailer/private-label market access
    • Reduces duplicate audits, builds supply chain trust
    • Mitigates risks (allergens, foreign matter, recalls)
    • Drives efficiency, resilience, competitive edge via Star status

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, FSMS build, training, validation, audits
    • Suited for global food processors, site-specific
    • Requires ISO 17065-accredited bodies, unannounced options

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ITIL
    IT Service Management lifecycle and practices
    IFS Food
    Food manufacturing product/process safety, quality

    Industry

    ITIL
    IT organizations worldwide, all sizes
    IFS Food
    Food processing/manufacturing, mainly Europe

    Nature

    ITIL
    Voluntary best-practice framework, certifications
    IFS Food
    GFSI-benchmarked certification standard, annual audits

    Testing

    ITIL
    Certifications, continual improvement practices
    IFS Food
    Annual on-site audits, product sampling, traceability

    Penalties

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

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ITIL and IFS Food

    ITIL FAQ

    IFS Food FAQ

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