“The quality and safety of packaging materials play an increasingly important role in supply chains of food and consumer products. IFS PACsecure is the packaging standard that was developed by the industry for the industry. Accordingly, it has a unique market and practical oriented approach. With the new IFS PACsecure version 2 and the IFS Global Markets PACsecure, we offer up-to-date and robust assessments that contribute to safer products and more trust in the supply chain”, states Stephan Tromp, Managing Director of IFS

IFS – International Featured Standards introduces new version of its packaging standard IFS PACsecure and the development program IFS Global Markets PACsecure

We proudly introduce version 2 of our packaging standard IFS PACsecure together with the brand- new IFS Global Markets PACsecure program. With IFS PACsecure version 2, IFS upgrades its high- level packaging certification, whereas IFS Global Markets PACsecure provides packaging suppliers an easy entry into establishing effective product safety and quality processes.

The participation of international experts representing the various links along the packaging supply chain guarantees that the new standard and program meet the requirements of the market. Also, the IFS Board, IFS Technical Committee and IFS Working Groups as well as PAC Packaging Consortium gave valuable contributions to these excellent new IFS Products.

IFS PACsecure version 2 – takes packaging certification to the next level

IFS PACsecure version 2 assesses the quality and safety of packaging materials and their compliance with regulation and customer requirements. It supports businesses in meeting the growing transparency and traceability demands in the market and contributes to improving product integrity and increasing efficiency.

The standard is applicable for the production, processing or conversion of packaging components and packaging materials, intended to be used as primary or secondary packaging in food, cosmetics, households, and personal care products.

IFS PACsecure version 2 becomes applicable as of 3rd January 2022.

What is new in IFS PACsecure version?

Version 2 follows version 1.1 that we published in 2017. Important new features of IFS PACsecure version 2 are:

• Increased focus on the on-site assessment, less on documentation, reduced number of requirements (-14%).

• New wording: the audit becomes an assessment, to underline the product and process approach of IFS according to ISO/IEC 17065.

• Improved structure of the certification protocol tailored to the IFS stakeholders’ needs

• Improvements in the scope of the IFS PACsecure Assessment and product scopes

• New rules regarding the assessment duration

• Better defined scoring system (equal to IFS Food version 7)

• The guidance for industry and auditors is included in the standard document

• Sustainability is included in the policy requirements

• Product Safety Culture has been included in the requirements

• A new approach for the hazard analysis and risk assessment system, and strengthening of control of processes

• Clearly structured assessment report with standardised sections

• Every third IFS Certification assessment will be unannounced

• The new definitions of outsourcing clarify different management modalities.

• The free IFS Software auditXpressX supports the internal audits of certified companies