Search
Search
On 8th December 2022, GFSI announced the suspension of International Featured Standards (IFS) a GFSI recognised CPO for a period of 3 months following identified breaches of GFSI benchmarking requirements, GFSI Governance Rules and the GFSI and CPO Benchmarking agreement.
On 12th December 2022, GFSI clearly set out to IFS the grounds for the suspension and what actions were needed from IFS to demonstrate re-alignment with GFSI requirements. GFSI has continuously worked with IFS throughout the suspension period.
IFS appealed against the suspension and the Appeal Committee decided on 13 February 2023 that the suspension should continue until 8th March 2023 as suitable remediation by IFS was still outstanding.
On 3 March 2023, a meeting took place between a GFSI benchmark leader and IFS to discuss the state of remediation at that time.
As a result of the information provided and discussed at that meeting, the GFSI Steering Committee decided on 7 March that IFS has now provided suitable remediation and that GFSI recognition of IFS can be reinstated as of today’s date 8th March.
This means that GFSI recognition is reinstated for IFS recognised certification programmes previously recognised against the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2020 before 8th December 2022.
The certificate of conformity issued by GFSI to IFS to demonstrate GFSI recognition against GFSI Benchmarking requirements v 2020 is currently valid. The list of GFSI recognised CPOs and certification programmes is available here.
Audits undertaken by IFS during the suspension period (8th December – 7th March 2023) will not be recognised by GFSI. Audits undertaken by IFS against a GFSI recognised certification programme from 8th March 2023 will be recognised by GFSI.
GFSI will continue to hold GFSI Recognised CPOs accountable to ensure the ongoing integrity of the certification programmes that GFSI recognizes and to maintain trust and confidence in the work of GFSI.
