IFS Broker Certification
Certification of import and trading activities of non-food products: personal care, hygiene, household and everyday use products.
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Who is this service intended for?
This service is ideal for import or trading companies.
What problem does this address?
Demonstrate your mastery of quality management and compliance of the products offered. Respond to a customer request.
What is the expected result?
Convince new national and international clients.
The origins of the IFS Broker certification
As the globalization of the supply chain develops, the sourcing of raw materials and products is done differently. Brokers, trading agencies, and importers become the link that connects producers and distributors.
The goal of the IFS Broker is to ensure the quality and safety of products by creating a link between production and distribution.
The standard verifies that stakeholders have implemented appropriate measures in their service so that suppliers operate in accordance with the quality and safety requirements of the products.
Since September 2020, IFS Broker audits may be conducted remotely if they are renewal audits. This option is voluntary and must be approved in advance by the audited company and the certification body.
Primary objectives
- Ensure compliance of trading services,
- Establish a common framework, with a uniform evaluation system,
- Work with accredited certification bodies and qualified auditors,
- Ensure transparency and the ability to make comparisons throughout the supply chain,
- Reduce costs and time related to audits, for both distributors and suppliers.
The IFS Broker certification is intended for manufacturers of drugstore, perfumery, and hygiene products, whether they are private label, own brand, or no name.
Product scopes
Scope 2.2 : Household chemicals
The reference framework also exists in a food version, but ATeCQ Certification only offers IFS Broker certification for the trade of non-food products (NFP).
The rating system
the requirement, from full compliance to deviation and/or non-compliance.
- A Compliance: total 20 points
- B (deviation): Almost total compliance 15 points
- C (deviation): Low proportion of the requirement met 5 points
- D (deviation): Requirement not met -20 points
- Major non-compliance: Can be attributed to any requirement that is not a KO requirement when:
In this case, a deduction of 15% of the total number of points is made.
- KO (8 requirements concerned) Requirement not met. In this case, a deduction of 50% of the total possible points => no certification possible.
The program
The IFS broker certification is carried out according to the requirements listed in the Broker reference.
The IFS published a new version in February 2024 of the IFS Broker reference, version 3.2.
This new version is mandatory effective from the1st of JULY 2024and available for free download via the IFS website.
The requirements are listed in Part II of the reference, divided into 6 chapters:
•Management responsibilities
•Quality and product safety management system
•Resource management
•Service planning and process
•Measurements, analyses, improvements
•Assessment of food chain/product protection against malicious acts
The result
With a score of 95%, the site is certified "Higher Level".
Between 75% and 95%, the site is certified at the "Basic Level".
Below 75%, the site cannot be certified.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most common questions about our service.
The duration of an IFS Broker certification audit is generally 1 day (8 hours).
The audit can be conducted remotely. The service includes:
- Certification audit
- Action plan
- Final report
- Certificate (if successful)
We have a large network of auditors who can meet your request.
Upon request, a certificate in English is provided at no extra cost.
Once the audit is completed, it takes a maximum of 8 weeks to obtain the certificate, which is also a requirement of the standard.
There is no surveillance audit but a complete annual systematic audit, as required by the standard.
The certificate is valid for one year from its anniversary date of issuance. You will be contacted in advance to schedule a new recertification audit and complete the process before the expiration of the current certificate.
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Let's discuss your certification project
A first free exchange of 30 minutes, by phone or video conference to understand your activity, followed by the establishment of an agreement or a quote within 48 hours.
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