According to earlier announcements, IFS published version 8 of the IFS Food standard in April.

The first release of the IFS Food standard was 21 years ago.  Today, after issuing 20,000 certificates, IFS Food has become a global standard and market leader in Europe.

Certification for compliance with the new version of the standard will be possible as of October 1, 2023, and for organizations with current IFS Food certifications, version 8 of the standard will become mandatory as of January 1, 2024. 

The new release features, among other things, an optimized protocol, a new definition of B-rating, and the introduction of star status to recognize unannounced audits. These updates will facilitate effective work with the standard for all parties involved. 

Changes also include the checklist - reducing the number of chapters from 6 to 5, aligning the structure and terminology with the current edition of Codex Alimentarius, introducing new requirements for validation and revalidation procedures, hand hygiene, chemical management and an environmental monitoring program.