In a world where goods are produced in various locations and often travel vast distances, transparency and trust play a key role. End consumers often have no insight into the way products are produced, stored and transported. This is precisely where logistics certificates come into play – they are a bridge of trust between producers, traders and consumers.
What is a logistics certificate?
Definition and purpose
Logistics certificates confirm that a specific product, process or management system meets internationally recognized standards. Certification gives credibility to companies, strengthens customer trust and facilitates access to new markets.
Certification process
Certification is carried out by an independent body that evaluates the organization’s work according to defined normative documents. The procedure includes:
- Documentation review.
- Business process audit.
- Awarding of certificates with the obligation to comply with all requirements of the standard.
What is IFS (International Featured Standards)?
IFS is an international organization that develops standards for various sectors, including the food industry, logistics and retail. These standards help ensure the safety and quality of products and reduce risks in the supply chain.
Popular IFS certificates
- IFS Food – ensures food safety and quality.
- IFS Logistics – applies to logistics operations, including warehousing and transportation.
- IFS Broker – intended for intermediaries in the supply chain.
IFS Logistics: The key to quality logistics
What is IFS Logistics?
The IFS Logistics standard focuses on safety and quality in logistics processes. It is applied to storage, transportation, distribution and other logistics activities for food and non-food products.
Key benefits of IFS Logistics certification
- Quality and safety assurance.
- Cargo tracking and transparency.
- Compliance with legal regulations.
- Cost reduction of logistics processes.
Prerequisites for obtaining IFS Logistics certification
- Possession of ISO 9001 and HACCP certificates.
- Focus on risk, hygiene and inventory management.
- Transparency and traceability throughout the entire supply chain.
Advantages of logistics certificates for business
Why choose certification?
Certification brings many benefits to companies that want to ensure the quality of their products and services:
- Customer trust – Certificates confirm compliance with international standards, which increases the trust of customers and partners.
- Product quality – Process standardization contributes to consistent quality and reduces product returns.
- Competitiveness – Provides access to new markets and improves relationships with customers and regulatory authorities.
- Legal Compliance – Helps companies meet legal requirements in different countries.
- Cost reduction – Certifications like IFS reduce internal and external audit costs.
- Environmental protection – Optimizing logistics processes reduces waste and environmental impact.
How to get IFS Logistics certificate?
Steps towards certification
- Implement a quality and safety management system (ISO 9001, HACCP).
- Determine and document risks in business processes.
- Prepare production and hygiene practices according to IFS requirements.
- Hire an authorized certification body to conduct the audit.
- Correct any deficiencies identified during the audit.
Audit process
The audit includes the assessment of business processes and documentation to ensure that the organization meets all the requirements of the standard. Certification details can be found at www.ifs-certification.com
Conclusion
Certifications such as IFS Logistics and ISO 9001 are essential for ensuring quality and safety in logistics. They enable companies to be competitive, comply with legal requirements and be recognizable in the global market.
