IFS Food & BRCGS: the certifications required by mass retail
What is IFS Food or BRCGS certification?
IFS Food and BRCGS (formerly BRC) are two food safety and quality standards recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). They certify that a production site controls sanitary hazards, quality and traceability according to audited requirements. They are the certifications required by mass retail and private label (PL): without them, a purchasing group generally will not list your oil.
They are also the most expensive and longest certifications — from around €4,000/year, 3 to 6 months of preparation. The rule: only pursue them with a genuinely confirmed mass retail prospect, never speculatively.
IFS or BRCGS: which to choose?
IFS and BRCGS meet the same need (a GFSI certification) but dominate different markets. The choice is made according to the target customer: the buyer will tell you which one they require.
| Criterion | IFS Food | BRCGS |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Germany / France (retail) | United Kingdom |
| Dominant markets | Continental Europe (DE, FR, IT, ES) | UK, international, English-speaking retail |
| Recognition | GFSI | GFSI |
| What it targets | Food safety + quality + compliance | Food safety + quality + compliance |
| Choose if | Your customers are German / French / from continental Europe | Your customers are British or require it |
Both are equivalent in GFSI recognition. There is no point obtaining both "just in case": ask your buyer which one they require, and only certify that one.
What it is for and who requires it
- Private label (PL) — essential. No retailer entrusts its own brand to a supplier without a GFSI certification.
- Mass retail (brand) — near-systematic prerequisite to list a brand on the shelf, especially in Germany (IFS) and the United Kingdom (BRCGS).
- Purchasing groups & key accounts — the entry passport into retail tenders.
On the other hand, for a standard bulk importer / distributor, IFS/BRC is not always required: the quality foundation (ISO 22000, HACCP) and the COA per lot may suffice. Hence the importance of not over-certifying.
Real cost & timeline
Low-end ranges "from", **dated July 2026 — to be confirmed by quote **. The cost varies according to site size, certifier and the level targeted.
| Item | Indicative cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| IFS Food or BRCGS certification | from €4,000 to €7,000/year all-in | 3 to 6 months of preparation |
| ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 foundation (recommended prerequisite) | from €3,000 to €6,000 initial, €1,500 to €2,500/year | 6 to 12 months |
| Renewal audit | recurring annual audit | annual |
IFS/BRC is the most expensive item of the certification journey. It only brings value with a real retail outlet. Launch it as soon as a mass retail prospect is serious, but not before — and not too late either, because the audit requires several months.
Body & how to obtain it
Certification is delivered by an accredited GFSI certification body (Bureau Veritas, DQS, SGS, INNORPI…), after an on-site audit. Typical steps:
- Lay the foundation — set up HACCP and, ideally, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 as a management base.
- Choose the standard — IFS or BRCGS according to your customer's market.
- Prepare the site — documentation, control plan, traceability, hygiene, staff training (3 to 6 months).
- Pre-audit (optional) to identify gaps.
- Certification audit on site by the accredited body.
- Clearing of non-conformities then issuance of the certificate.
- Annual surveillance / renewal audits.
Golden rule: ISO 22000 first, IFS/BRC next. The ISO foundation is cheaper, serves as a base for the GFSI audit and already reassures the buyer. Only pursue the IFS/BRC audit with a retail contract in sight.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying for IFS/BRC speculatively, without a committed mass retail prospect — it is tied-up cash.
- Obtaining IFS AND BRC as a precaution: pointless, they are equivalent; choose according to the customer.
- Waiting until the last minute: the audit requires 3 to 6 months — impossible to improvise when the purchasing group demands it.
- Skipping the ISO 22000 foundation: without it, preparation for IFS/BRC is longer and more expensive.
- Confusing IFS/BRC (food safety) and organic: these are two different logics, stackable if your market requires it (organic PL).
Buyer side / seller side
| Buyer side (retailer, purchasing group, brand) | Seller side (exporter) |
|---|---|
| Specify from the tender the required standard (IFS or BRCGS) and the expected level, so the supplier neither certifies speculatively nor wastes time. Verify the valid certificate and its level (Foundation/Higher). | Only launch IFS/BRC with a confirmed retail prospect. First lay ISO 22000. Communicate early about your certification schedule so as not to block listing. |
| CTA: request a PL quote | CTA: train in private label |
FAQ — IFS Food & BRCGS for olive oil
IFS or BRC: which certification for mass retail?
Both are equivalent GFSI standards. IFS Food dominates in Germany, France and continental Europe; BRCGS in the United Kingdom and English-speaking retail. Choose according to your customer's market — they will tell you which one they require. There is no point obtaining both.
How much does an IFS or BRCGS certification cost?
From around €4,000 to €7,000/year all-in, depending on site size and the body. It is the most expensive item of the certification journey: only pursue it with a real mass retail outlet.
How long to obtain IFS/BRC?
Allow 3 to 6 months of preparation before the certification audit, more if you first have to lay the ISO 22000 foundation (6 to 12 months). Impossible to improvise: anticipate as soon as a retail prospect becomes serious.
Do you need IFS/BRC to sell olive oil in bulk?
Not always. For a standard bulk importer / distributor, the quality foundation (ISO 22000, HACCP) and the COA per lot are often enough. IFS/BRC becomes necessary for mass retail and essential in private label (PL).
Which certification for private label (PL)?
IFS Food or BRCGS is essential: no retailer entrusts its own brand to a supplier without a GFSI certification. It is the lock on PL listing. See our private label offer.
Who delivers IFS or BRCGS certification?
An accredited GFSI certification body (Bureau Veritas, DQS, SGS, INNORPI…), which carries out an on-site audit. The certificate is delivered after clearing non-conformities, then maintained through annual surveillance audits.
Do you need ISO 22000 before IFS/BRC?
It is not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended. ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 is the food safety management foundation: cheaper, it serves as a base for the GFSI audit, shortens preparation and already reassures the buyer. Lay it first.
Are IFS and BRCGS recognised internationally?
Yes, both are recognised by the GFSI and accepted internationally. The difference lies in market habits: IFS for continental Europe, BRCGS for the United Kingdom and English-speaking retail. Their recognition value is equivalent.
Can you combine IFS/BRC and organic certification?
Yes, and it is sometimes necessary: an organic PL will require both the organic certification (EU 2018/848 / USDA NOP) and a GFSI standard (IFS/BRC). These are two distinct logics — organic production on one side, food safety on the other — stackable according to the market. See organic & Ecocert.
What happens if I certify IFS/BRC too early?
You tie up significant cash (€4,000 to €7,000/year) with no outlet in front, and the certificate must be renewed every year. Best practice: lay the ISO 22000 foundation, then launch IFS/BRC when a mass retail prospect is confirmed.
What is the difference between IFS/BRC and IOC per-lot analysis?
The per-lot analysis (IOC-approved laboratory) certifies the commercial category of a specific lot (acidity, peroxide, panel…) — it is a product control. IFS/BRC certifies the site's production system (food safety, quality, traceability). Both are complementary: product on one side, process on the other.
Do you need IFS/BRC for export to Germany or the United Kingdom?
For German mass retail, IFS is the expected standard; for British retail, it is BRCGS. For a simple importer/distributor, it is not systematic. See importing to Germany and to France.
Estimate the cost of your IFS/BRC certification
IFS/BRC only makes sense with a real retail outlet. Determine whether — and when — you really need it according to your market and channel.
Certifications assistant — choose "mass retail" or "PL" → the tool confirms whether IFS/BRC is required, with cost, timeline and the recommended order of obtainment.
Request a PL / mass retail quote — we tell you our certification level and schedule for your retail project.
Lead magnet: download our Guide to retail certifications (IFS, BRCGS, ISO 22000) — when to launch them, costs, timelines, order of obtainment.
See also: certifications hub · organic & Ecocert · FDA/FSMA · private label · labelling · glossary.
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