IFS Logistics Certification vs. BRCGS And SQF: Which To Use?

IFS Logistics Certification Certification assessing product safety and quality controls for transport, storage, distribution, loading, and unloading operations.

When selecting a food-supply-chain certification, logistics providers often compare IFS Logistics with BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) and SQF (Safe Quality Food). Each scheme has international recognition, but differences in scope, regional market acceptance, audit structure and the way logistics-specific controls are handled determine which is most appropriate for a given company.

Core Differences In Scope And Focus

IFS Logistics is purpose-built for transport, storage and related handling activities and concentrates on the logistics control points along the supply chain. BRCGS has logistics-oriented modules (BRCGS Storage and Distribution) but its origins are retailer-focused quality standards. SQF is a food safety management system recognised globally with modules spanning primary production through storage and distribution; it is typically integrated within a broader FSMS (Food Safety Management System).

Market Acceptance And Commercial Drivers

Choice often depends on customer and market expectations. In many European retail chains and manufacturers, IFS is a commonly requested credential for logistics partners. BRCGS has strong footholds with UK and some global retailers, while SQF is widely requested in North America, particularly by food processors and importers. Verify buyer requirements early — some contracts stipulate a specific standard or a list of accepted schemes.

Audit Structure And Certification Details

• IFS Logistics: Focused logistics checklist, scored audit, announced and unannounced options, certificate usually valid 12 months.
• BRCGS Storage and Distribution: Offers storage and distribution modules; scored audits, with technical requirements for logistics operations.
• SQF: Comprehensive food safety program; often combined with HACCP-based systems and integrated into multi-site supply chains.

Which Works Best For Specific Operations

If your business is a dedicated carrier or a 3PL specializing in transport and storage, IFS Logistics’ targeted criteria reduce unnecessary audit scope and focus on the controls your customers most often require. If you serve UK-centric retailer networks, BRCGS alignment may be more commercially relevant. If you are a manufacturer or distributor with end-to-end responsibilities for food production and distribution, SQF’s broader FSMS approach can be advantageous.

Interoperability And GFSI Recognition

All three schemes have relationships with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) in different ways; buyers and certification bodies may interpret recognition and equivalency differently. Confirm the current GFSI benchmarking status for each scheme before committing, since GFSI recognition affects global acceptance by many multinational retailers and brands.

Practical Decision Framework

• Customer Requirements: Choose the scheme your key customers list as acceptable in their supplier policies.
• Operational Fit: Select a standard that targets your primary activities — logistics-focused for carriers, broader FSMS for manufacturers.
• Market Reach: Consider the geographic and commercial reach of the standard (Europe vs North America emphasis).

Case Example

A refrigerated carrier that operated primarily for European retail chains chose IFS Logistics because major clients required it and because the standard’s transport-focused controls matched the carrier’s main operational risks. A dual-operation company that also processed and repackaged food chose SQF to combine manufacturing and logistics controls under a single FSMS.

In short, the IFS Logistics Certification is often the best fit for organizations whose primary services are transport and storage and whose customers prioritize logistics-specific controls. Compare customer requirements, operational scope and regional acceptance of IFS, BRCGS and SQF before selecting a certification route.