WELL
Performance-based certification for building occupant health
IFS Food
Global standard for food safety and quality audits
Quick Verdict
WELL certifies buildings for occupant health via performance testing, while IFS Food ensures food manufacturing safety through process audits. Companies adopt WELL for ESG/wellness appeal; IFS for retailer access and compliance.
WELL
WELL v2 Building Standard
Key Features
- Mandatory on-site performance verification testing
- 10 core concepts for occupant health
- Preconditions plus point-based Optimizations
- Tiered certification Bronze to Platinum
- Continuous monitoring compliance pathways
IFS Food
IFS Food Version 8
Key Features
- Product and Process Approach (PPA) with sampling
- Minimum 50% on-site production evaluation time
- Annual audits with unannounced every third
- 10 Knock-Out requirements for certification
- Food fraud and defense risk assessments
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
WELL Details
What It Is
WELL Building Standard v2 is a performance-based certification framework administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). It focuses on designing, operating, and verifying buildings to advance human health and well-being through evidence-based strategies. Its people-first approach emphasizes measurable indoor environmental quality and occupant outcomes across new and existing structures.
Key Components
- **10 core conceptsAir, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community (plus Innovation).
- 24 Preconditions (mandatory pass/fail) and 102 Optimizations (point-earning).
- Tiered certification: Bronze (40 points), Silver (50), Gold (60), Platinum (80) with concept minimums.
- Built on health science; requires on-site verification and continuous monitoring options.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives productivity, tenant retention, ESG reporting, and higher rents. Mitigates health risks, enhances reputation. Complements LEED for holistic sustainability.
Implementation Overview
Cross-functional teams pursue enrollment, scorecard development, documentation review, performance testing, and 3-year recertification. Applies to offices, residential, portfolios globally; involves pre-testing, monitoring for existing buildings.
IFS Food Details
What It Is
IFS Food Version 8 is the International Featured Standards Food, a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers. It audits product and process compliance for safety, quality, legality, authenticity, and customer specs, using a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) with on-site verification.
Key Components
- Structured into governance, HACCP/PRPs, operational controls (traceability, allergens, fraud/defense), performance monitoring.
- Checklist with hundreds of requirements, 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria (e.g., CCP monitoring, hygiene).
- Built on HACCP principles, integrated pest management, validation/verification.
- Annual site-specific audits scoring Higher/Foundation levels.
Why Organizations Use It
- Essential for European retailer access, private-label supply.
- Cuts duplicate audits, boosts trust, manages recall/fraud risks.
- Enhances resilience, food safety culture; Star status via unannounced audits.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, FSMS build, training, validation, PPA audit.
- Targets food processors globally; needs accredited CB, 50% on-site time, corrective actions.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WELL | IFS Food |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Occupant health across 10 concepts (air, water, etc.) | Food safety, quality, legality in manufacturing processes |
| Industry | Buildings, real estate globally | Food manufacturing, processing primarily Europe |
| Nature | Voluntary performance-based certification | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification |
| Testing | On-site performance verification, continuous monitoring | Annual product/process audits, traceability tests |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal fines | Certificate denial/withdrawal, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WELL and IFS Food
WELL FAQ
IFS Food FAQ
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