BRC vs IFS — Food Safety Standards Explained for Meat Importers

Two Standards, One Goal: Ensuring Food Safety

If you've sourced meat products from European suppliers, you've almost certainly encountered two acronyms: BRC (now BRCGS) and IFS. Both are internationally recognized food safety standards, both require rigorous third-party audits, and both aim to protect consumers while giving retailers confidence in their supply chains. Yet they are distinct standards with different origins, geographic preferences, and assessment methodologies.

For procurement managers and food importers, understanding these differences isn't academic — it directly affects which suppliers you can work with, which markets you can serve, and how your due diligence processes should be structured.

BRC Global Standard (BRCGS): The British Origin

The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety was first published in 1998 by the British Retail Consortium. Now managed by BRCGS (BRC Global Standards), it has grown from a UK-centric framework into a truly global standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Key Characteristics

• Grading system: Sites receive grades AA, A, B, C, or D based on audit findings. Grade AA (with no critical or major non-conformities) represents the highest level of compliance. Unannounced audits can earn an additional "+" designation.
• Certification cycle: Annual audits, with the option for unannounced visits that demonstrate greater confidence in day-to-day operations.
• Focus areas: Senior management commitment, HACCP-based food safety plans, food safety and quality management systems, site standards, product control, process control, and personnel.
• Global reach: Over 30,000 certified sites in more than 130 countries, with particular strength in the UK, Scandinavia, and global export markets.

Why Retailers Require BRC

Major UK retailers — Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, ASDA — essentially mandate BRC certification from their suppliers. But its influence extends well beyond Britain. Large international retailers and food service companies worldwide recognize BRC as a benchmark for supplier qualification, particularly for meat and protein products where safety risks are inherently higher.

IFS Food: The Continental European Standard

The International Featured Standards (IFS) Food standard was developed in 2003 by German and French retail federations — HDE (Handelsverband Deutschland) and FCD (Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution). It reflects the specific requirements and regulatory culture of Continental European food retail.

Key Characteristics

• Scoring system: IFS uses a percentage-based scoring model. Sites must achieve a minimum score of 75% for foundation level certification, with higher level certification available for top performers. Results are classified as A, B, C, or D.
• KO requirements: Ten "Knock-Out" criteria that result in automatic failure regardless of overall score — including senior management responsibility, HACCP monitoring, personal hygiene, and product specifications.
• Focus areas: Corporate governance, quality and food safety management, resource management, operational processes, measurements/analyses/improvements, and food defense.
• Geographic strength: Over 20,000 certified sites globally, with dominant market position in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Benelux countries.

Why Retailers Require IFS

German retail giants — EDEKA, REWE, Lidl, Schwarz Group (Kaufland) — along with French chains like Carrefour and Auchan, typically require IFS certification. For any meat supplier targeting the German or French retail market, IFS is effectively non-negotiable.

BRC vs IFS: Key Differences at a Glance

While both standards share the common goal of GFSI-benchmarked food safety assurance, several practical differences matter for buyers:

• Geographic preference: BRC dominates in the UK, North America, and Scandinavian markets. IFS is the standard of choice in Germany, France, Southern Europe, and parts of Asia.
• Assessment approach: BRC uses letter grading (AA to D) with emphasis on unannounced audit programs. IFS uses percentage scoring with KO criteria as hard fail points.
• Audit frequency: Both require annual recertification, but BRC's unannounced option (earning "+" grades) provides additional assurance between scheduled audits.
• Retailer alignment: Your target market typically dictates which standard takes priority. Supplying both Tesco and Lidl? You need both.
• Process focus: BRC places relatively stronger emphasis on environmental and site standards. IFS gives more weight to process management and corporate governance structures.

Why Leading Suppliers Hold Both Certifications

For serious B2B meat suppliers operating across European markets, holding either BRC or IFS alone creates unnecessary limitations. The most competitive suppliers — those serving major retailers across multiple countries — maintain dual certification.

The business case is straightforward:

• Market access: Dual certification eliminates geographic barriers. A supplier certified to both standards can serve UK, German, French, Nordic, and international retailers without additional qualification hurdles.
• Buyer confidence: Two independent third-party audits per year means more scrutiny and more opportunities to identify and address gaps — translating directly into higher supply chain reliability.
• Operational excellence: Preparing for both standards forces organizations to build more robust food safety management systems, often exceeding the minimum requirements of either standard individually.
• Competitive advantage: In procurement decisions, dual certification signals a supplier's commitment to the highest standards and simplifies the buyer's vendor qualification process.

FENTO's Approach: Dual Certification as Standard Practice

At FENTO, all production facilities within the Zakłady Mięsne Zakrzewscy group maintain both BRC and IFS certification. This isn't a response to a single customer requirement — it's a strategic decision that reflects our position as a supplier to diverse European and international markets.

Our approach encompasses:

• Continuous improvement: Rather than treating audits as annual events, we maintain year-round compliance programs with regular internal assessments.
• Integrated management: Our quality management system satisfies both BRC and IFS requirements simultaneously, avoiding duplication while meeting the specific nuances of each standard.
• Team training: All production and quality staff are trained on both standards, ensuring consistent compliance regardless of which auditor visits.
• Transparent reporting: Current certification status and audit results are available to all existing and prospective B2B partners upon request.

Practical Implications for Buyers

When evaluating potential meat suppliers, consider these certification-related factors:

• Match certifications to markets: Ensure your supplier's certifications align with your target retail customers' requirements.
• Verify currency: Certifications must be current. Ask for copies of certificates and note expiry dates.
• Check grades and scores: A BRC Grade A or IFS score above 90% indicates strong performance. Lower grades may signal risk areas.
• Ask about non-conformities: A transparent supplier will discuss audit findings and corrective actions openly.
• Consider additional certifications: For specific markets, Halal, organic, or sustainability certifications may be equally important alongside BRC/IFS.

Understanding BRC and IFS isn't just about ticking compliance boxes — it's about building a supply chain that meets the highest food safety expectations while maintaining the flexibility to serve diverse markets. For buyers seeking a partner who takes this seriously, FENTO's dual-certified operations provide a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.