IFS certified supplier

Hello everybody

 

I wonder if somebody in the fórum could help me with an IFS clause. Maybe I have an misunderstanding of the english Word. In the spanish versión of the IFS standard the english Word is used, there is not traslation for that.

 

Clause 4.4.3 states " There shall be a procedura for approval and monitoring of supplier ( internal and external) outsourced production opr part of it".

 

and the checklist of that clause states " Are co-packers IFS certified? "

 

My question is What does it mean Are co-packers IFS certified? What do you man by co-packers? What step within the production process co-packers carry out?  Co-packers must be IFS certified ?

 

thank you in advance

 

Regards

Esther

co packer would be a company that you contract with to produce your product and package it in your packaging.

If you go for IFS your co packers are required to be IFS. but if they are other gfsi that may be ok too

Thank you so much SQF consultant for your reply!

 

Apologies for my delay in answering.

 

After your explanation is clear for me the definition of co-packers. However I have still doubt about whether or not a co-packers must be a IFS certified or and GFSI sheme certified.

 

I am living  a situation where a small factory  is co-packer of a  big IFS certificed factory. Both factories belong to the same business group. The small factory is not IFS certified not GFSI certified. How is that possible?

 

I have been thinking on this. Maybe the co-packers do not have to be IFS or GFSI certified in all cases. Maybe if you are dealing with a spirit beverages ( which are 4 class level risk) it is not compulsary to contract an IFS certified co-packer.  Does it make sense?

 

Regards

Esther