IFS

The IFS standard (intrenational food standard) was developed by the BDH (German Federal Chambers of Commerce) and comprises all the main German retailers to provide a base to German mass distribution to verify the suppliers of branded food stuffs, to which the French equivalent has also adhered (FDC) and in 2007 the Italian association also joined.

The aim is to support the retailers to conform fully to all legislation, improve management and quality control internally and thus protect and safeguard the consumer with regards to the quality, safety and health of products.

The majority of German and French retailers have made affiliation to IFS compulsory.

The standards set are the following:

o Quality control management (including HACCP)
o Resource management
o Production processes
o Process of measurements, checks and improvements

For each of the 4 standards there are 2 levels: basic level (minimum requirement to obtain certification) and advanced level (the highest level for food manufacturers).

The IFS certificate was awarded to Oleificio R.M. by SGS. They gained the advanced level thus meeting 90% of the basic level requirements and 70% of the advanced level.