IFS Logistics

IFS Logistics Standard is the 2nd IFS Standard and was published in 2006. It is the aim of most retailers and producers to have transparency over their whole International supply chain. Auditing is a tool that is often used to gain information about the way suppliers comply with specifications. International 3rd party initiatives have already been successfully introduced for most other parts of the supply chain in order to avoid duplication of audits. For the logistical activities however there was no International Standard available yet. Buyers and quality managers in retail and industry require more and more transparency about the way their products are treated in the logistics chain and they were looking for a solution.

Scope of the standard and target group

The IFS Logistics is a standard for auditing all logistics activities for food and non-food products, such as transport, storage, distribution, loading/ unloading, etc. It applies to all types of activities: delivery by road, rail or ship; frozen/refrigerated products or without cooling. The IFS Logistics concerns logistics activities, where companies have a physical contact with already primary packed products (transport, packaging of pre-packed food products, storage and/or distribution, transport and storage of pallets, bags in box). The IFS Logistic concerns as well bulk products (example: oil, corn, etc.). The product is loose, but there is neither processing activity nor primary packing activity. When the food processing company has its own logistic and/or transport department/activities (storage and distribution), it is included in the IFS Food, under the specific sub-chapter about transport or storage If logistic and/or transport activities are outsourced, IFS Logistic applies.

Review process

In 2009 the IFS Review process for the IFS Logistics will start. During that process all requirements should be reviewed even so the protocol and the requirements for certification bodies and auditors. As did in the review of the IFS Food standard also the audited industry will be asked for their feedback and their experiences with the IFS Logistics version 1. A questionnaire will be prepared and will be sent to the already certified companies. As soon as the results of the questionnaire are available also a small subworking group will focus on the preparation of the new requirements. Number of requirements, structure of the checklist The current check-list of IFS Logistics version 1 contains 98 requirements. The check-list is divided into 3 Major parts with basic requirements for all types of company, requirements for storage and distribution and requirements for transport. Totally there are 7 chapters for the IFS Logistic

Part 1: Basic Requirements for all auditees (46 requirements)

Chapter 1: Management of the Quality System. This chapter contains requirements for risk management, HACCP study, procedures, documentation and record keeping

Chapter 2: Management responsibility.

Chapter 3: Resource Management.

Chapter 4: Realisation of the service. The chapter contains requirements for contract review, organisation performance monitoring and specific handling requirements.

Chapter 5: Measurements, Analysis and Improvements. This chapter deals with internal audit, consumer complaint handling, corrective actions etc.

Part 2: Storage and Distribution (39 requirements)

Chapter 6: Contact with the product: This chapter deals with all aspects concerned by storekeeping of goods and distribution such as maintenance, traceability, pest control, hygiene and loading area etc.

Part 3: Transport (13 requirements)

Chapter 7: Transport packaging. This chapter deals with all aspects of transportation