IFS Progress is an effective alternative for organizations that are not yet ready to pursue a full food safety management system certification. Implementing a comprehensive food safety framework can be challenging, especially for companies that are just beginning their food safety journey.
Achieving certification often requires the implementation of multiple elements, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Prerequisite Programs (PRPs), risk management practices, documented information controls, and other food safety requirements. While these elements are essential, implementing them all at once can be overwhelming.
This is where IFS Progress stands out. The program provides a recognized and structured pathway that enables organizations to gradually develop their food safety capabilities while gaining credibility and market recognition.
What Is IFS?
IFS is a globally recognized organization that develops standards and programs designed to improve product safety, quality, and compliance throughout supply chains.
Originally established through collaboration among European retail organizations, IFS has expanded to cover multiple sectors, including food production, logistics, packaging materials, brokers, and consumer products.
Its food safety standards are widely recognized by retailers, manufacturers, and supply chain stakeholders worldwide.
According to IFS, the purpose of the standard is to provide a consistent approach for assessing food safety and quality management systems among food suppliers, helping organizations operate safely while increasing confidence among customers and business partners.
The Biggest Advantage of IFS Progress
IFS Progress offers a professional, structured, and gradual approach to building a Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
The program is based on three maturity levels, creating a clear progression path for organizations that are not yet prepared for full certification.
The levels are:
IFS Progress – Basic Level
Organizations meet approximately 45% of the requirements of the IFS Food Standard.
IFS Progress – Intermediate Level
Organizations meet approximately 70% of the requirements of the IFS Food Standard.
IFS Food Certification
Organizations achieve full compliance with the IFS Food requirements.
This maturity model provides clear milestones, allowing organizations to progress step by step while building internal capabilities and strengthening their food safety culture.
Although IFS Progress is not a certification in the traditional sense, it offers recognized market credibility and traceability through the IFS database.
Understanding the Flexibility of IFS Progress
One of the program’s most attractive features is its flexibility.
IFS Progress allows organizations and their business partners to agree on implementation timelines and objectives that reflect operational realities and organizational maturity.
This flexibility helps organizations advance at a sustainable pace while maintaining a structured improvement framework supported by measurable goals and recognized assessment criteria.
As a result, the program helps bridge the gap between informal practices and fully certified food safety management systems.
The combination of maturity levels and implementation flexibility transforms food safety development into a measurable and manageable journey.
Expected Timeline to Achieve IFS Food Certification
According to IFS guidance, organizations are generally expected to spend approximately one year at each maturity level.
This means many organizations can achieve full IFS Food Certification within about three years.
However, actual timelines may vary depending on agreements with customers, supply chain requirements, available resources, and organizational readiness.
This flexibility demonstrates that IFS Progress is more than a technical compliance program—it is a practical business solution designed to support sustainable growth and continuous improvement.
Throughout the journey, organizations are encouraged to strengthen:
- Hazard identification and control processes
- Traceability systems
- Food safety risk management
- Regulatory compliance
- Customer and stakeholder confidence
These improvements help create a clear path toward certification while delivering operational benefits along the way.
IFS Progress: A Journey Toward Excellence
IFS Progress recognizes that organizational maturity takes time to develop.
In an environment where standards such as ISO 22000 and IFS Food require consistency, discipline, and robust processes, attempting to move directly to full certification may create unnecessary challenges.
The program offers an intelligent intermediate step. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, it helps organizations build technical, operational, and cultural capabilities over time.
Perhaps its greatest strength is that it promotes sustainable improvement rather than short-term certification goals. Organizations learn, adapt, and strengthen their systems as they progress through each level.
Ultimately, certification becomes the natural outcome of a well-functioning management system rather than the sole objective.
Excellence is rarely achieved overnight. It is built gradually through consistent effort, continuous learning, and ongoing improvement. IFS Progress provides the structure and direction needed to support that journey.
