IFS ESG Check

IFS ESG Check is a verification tool for evaluating sustainability management systems. It is based on a flexible modular approach and can be combined with different modules or implemented alone.

Companies can choose between different voluntary modules to focus on individual supply chain risks (e.g. risks related to greenhouse gas emissions, food waste, water scarcity, human rights-related risks, etc.)The basic module of the IFS ESG Check focuses on recording a company's sustainability management system. As an optional additional module, the IFS ESG Check allows companies to evaluate their carbon footprint management system and determine their footprint. For this purpose, IFS cooperates with nature Office, a consulting and IT development company for sustainability solutions. They developed the ecozoom calculation tool tailored to the food industry. It enables companies to independently create comparable, GHG Protocol-compliant, transparent and verifiable product or company carbon footprints.

Companies determine their current situation and status quo by completing a self-assessment form. In the next step, an auditor verifies the answers given. This unique combination ensures that the data are robust and trustworthy and can be used to plan the following steps, take measures to improve sustainability management, and identify additional potential fields.The IFS ESG Check is especially helpful for companies who find the many dimensions of sustainability rather confusing since environmental and climate protection, social issues, and corporate governance need to be taken into consideration.Small- and medium-sized enterprises in particular face a huge challenge to understand the various regulations and implement measures in a target-oriented manner. They are often sailing the high seas without a compass.

The IFS ESG Check helps you find orientation, evaluate your status quo, identify risks, and plan your further engagement The ESG assessment contains eleven requirements and a list of mandatory questions that the company must complete before carrying out the audit (self-assessment). The information provided by the company in this self-assessment is verified at least annually by an independent third party. The verification ensures that the ESG audit represents the real progress made by the company

• Completion of the IFS ESG self-assessment form by the company. The company must complete a self-assessment and,in this context, must deal intensively with many aspects of sustainability and their application in the company. The completed list must be sent to the auditor at least fourteen days before the verification check. Note: The more thoroughly the list is filled out, the faster the verification can take place.
• If the company has selected the carbon footprint phase, the carbon footprint calculation must be performed before the verification check.
•  Presentation of the Certification Application by the interested company to the EUROCERT secretariat
•  Determination of a commonly agreed date for conducting the inspection.
•  Presentation of self-assessment study-conclusions to be reviewed by auditors.
•  Sending an inspection program to the company. The duration of the inspection is determined by the size and complexity of the company's processes and products and is 2 to 4 hours
• Conduction of audit. During the verification audit, the auditor will review the documentation and data presented in the self-assessment.
•  Sending a Preliminary Report to the company, in which it is asked to complete the Action Plan within 4 weeks. The result is expressed in units. The total number of points results in a final score, ranging from A to E, reflecting a final result:beginner, intermediate, advanced. The results in the different sections of the IFS ESG Check are independent of each other. The results of the IFS ESG audit do not affect other IFS certificates.
•  The verification audit and its results are evaluated by the independent certification board of EUROCERT, which decides on the issuance of the confirmation letter.
•  Receipt of the Action Plan from the certification body, issuance of the Final Report and the verification certificate.
•  Sending certificate and report to the company.

The IFS ESG Check documents including the protocol, checklist, guidelines and more information about the training courses are available on the IFS database.Unlike the IFS standards, the IFS ESG inspection does not arise non conformities for certified companies. The rating is used as an index to show the company status environmental, social management and governance aspects, and helps to indicate areas to be improved. Each company receives a certificate which is posted on the IFS portal and the prescribed logo can be used.