About IFTA AG

Active in the field of neutral certification for decades
More than three decades of experience with certification, accompanied by successful business development, have made us a competent and reliable partner for the business community in all areas of neutral certification. What started as an inspection body for agricultural holdings has evolved into a cross-sector company specializing in certification services, operating both nationally and internationally.

History
In April 1991, IFTA AG was founded as the "Institute for Animal Health and Agroecology Aktiengesellschaft" in Lindau on Lake Constance. The company's headquarters have been in Berlin since 1996. Starting in 1992, the first testing programs in the agricultural and food industries were developed. In the mid-1990s, accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021 for the auditing and certification of management systems followed. Two years later, the portfolio was expanded to include accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 for the certification of products, processes, and services. IFTA AG's certifications are always conducted under defined framework conditions. (Link to the heading "Framework Conditions for Certification by IFTA AG, see IFTA AG 1a Structure About Us Overview Page"). IFTA AG also conducts scientific research and development projects and partners with universities and technical colleges.

Business Areas
Today, our auditing and certification services span the entire value chain of the agricultural and food sectors, the healthcare industry, and a wide range of manufacturing and service-based industries. We are also continuously developing additional business areas, particularly in areas of sustainability, energy, and environmental management.

Portfolio
Learn more about our Certification. You can find our offerings for specific business areas under Portfolio .

For further information or a non-binding offer, please call us on 0049 30 4788030 or send us an email to: info@ifta-ag.de

Documents

Accreditation and Authorization

IFTA AG is a certification body accredited according to DIN EN ISO 17021-1:2015 and DIN EN ISO 17065:2013 for food safety, quality, and environmental management systems as well as product testing.

Accreditation according to the standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021:2015 (accreditation certificate D-ZM-16072-01-00) and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065:2013 (D-ZE-16072-01-00) is carried out by Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS)

Our currently valid certificates can be viewed in the Datenbank der DAkkS

IFTA AG is currently accredited by DAkkS GmbH in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 for the following standards:

DIN EN ISO 9001:2015
DIN EN ISO 9001:2015
DIN EN ISO 50001:2018
DIN EN ISO 50001:2018
FSSC 22000 Version 6

IFTA AG is currently accredited by DAkkS GmbH in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065:2013 for the following system:

Feed industry, agriculture, slaughtering/cutting, processing, food retail in the meat and meat products system chain in accordance with the system manual of QS-Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH

IFTA AG is recognized by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) as a certification body (registration number: DE-B-BLE-BM-ZSt-109). Recognition by the BLE was first granted to us as a certification body in 2010 and updated in 2022.

IFTA AG has been recognized as a certification body by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food for the following testing systems

Biofuel Sustainability Ordinance (Biokraft-NachV) in the version dated December 2, 2021
Biomass Electricity Sustainability Ordinance (BioSt-NachV) in the version dated December 2, 2021

All certification activities are carried out objectively and free from any conflicts of interest in accordance with the principles of impartiality.

Clearly defined rules apply to certification/inspection bodies. IFTA AG also operates in accordance with a quality management system and is obliged to provide certain information. Further information can be found below.

Overview of the certifications offered by IFTA AG

Certification, Examination, and Admission Requirements

Certification by IFTA AG

The following conditions apply to the granting, maintaining, extension, reduction, suspension, cancellation, and withdrawal of certification by IFTA AG.

Certification requirements

The prerequisite for any certification by IFTA AG is that

a valid contract with the customer exists,
the customer submits standard-compliant management documentation or a product certification system/product specification,
the customer allows an audit to be carried out at their company, and
the customer ensures that any non-conformities identified are remedied/eliminated within the agreed period as part of the implementation of specified corrective measures.

Any significant changes that may affect the certified product/management system must be reported to IFTA AG. This will determine the further course of action in the ongoing procedure. The following options are available:

Conditions for granting certification

IFTA AG will only issue the customer with certification of the management system, product certification system/products/product systems after a successful audit and prior approval by the certification committee in accordance with the contract and specific system requirements. IFTA AG will limit itself to the scope/area of application specified in the feasibility study and verified in the audit. As part of the certification process, if this complies with the standard specifications or specifications of system operators, a certification mark and the conditions for its use will be made available to the customer.

In the event of a negative certification decision, the customer will be notified in writing by the IFTA AG Executive Board, stating the reasons.

Condition for maintaining certification

IFTA AG surveys the certifications issued at specified intervals. Within the scope of this surveillance activity, it limits itself to the scope of validity/application verified in the last audit or to the scope of validity/application specified by the customer and IFTA AG prior to surveillance. The surveillance includes checking the reference to the certification system and the use of certificates and marks. The maintaining of certification is only confirmed/certified to the customer after approval by the certification committee.

The customer is obliged to undergo regular audits in accordance with the contract or specific system requirements and to demonstrate that the product certification system or management system is being maintained and continued.

If it is foreseeable that the deadlines for the audit will be exceeded, the following shall apply:

IFTA AG shall promptly inform DAkkS and/or the scheme owner and/or the competent authority with a request for approval of a temporary postponement if this is justified by the customer, or
IFTA AG shall promptly inform DAkkS and/or the scheme owner and/or the competent authority with a request for approval of a temporary postponement if this is justified by the customer, or

In the event of fundamental or proven reasons that cast doubt on the customer's integrity, as well as in the event of a loss of confidence in the customer's established management or product certification system, IFTA AG reserves the right not to maintain the certification.

Conditions for the continued validity of certification

The following applies to the continued validity of certification of product certification systems or testing systems that are reviewed by authorities:

The customer must undergo regular audits/inspections in accordance with the requirements of the respective product certification system/regulation.

The following applies to the continued validity of certification of management systems:

The customer must undergo a recertification procedure in accordance with the contract and the regulations of IFTA AG, thereby demonstrating that the management system is being maintained and continued. If the recertification procedure cannot be completed on time, the continued validity of a certified management system is not possible. The certificate expires and the mark shall no longer be used for advertising purposes.

Conditions for extending or reducing certification

IFTA AG may reduce the scope of application of a customer if parts of its organization do not meet the requirements of the product certification or management system.

In addition, the scope of certification may be extended or reduced upon written request by the customer. The management of the certification body and the responsible auditors will determine the further procedure and inform the customer in writing.

The following options are available:

If it can be assumed that the area of extension can be integrated into the customer's existing product certification or management system, it will be audited as part of a follow-up or surveillance audit. After successful auditing, the scope extension will be issued on a new certificate with the maximum validity period of the previous certificate.
If it is to be expected that the intended scope extension will significantly change the existing product certification or management system, a new certification or recertification is recommended
In the event of an application to restrict the scope of certification, the functionality of the product certification or management system is reviewed as part of a follow-up or surveillance audit. After a successful audit, the current scope of certification is specified on a new certificate. The period of validity of the new certificate corresponds to that of the previous certificate.

Condition for suspension of certification

The certification body shall suspend certification for a maximum of 6 months if the customer's management system fails to meet the requirements on a permanent or serious basis. Certification of management systems shall also be suspended if the contractually agreed surveillance period has been exceeded.

Upon written request by the customer, certification or approval may be suspended in justified cases (e.g., temporary cessation of a production or specialist area, a product, fundamental operational restructuring, etc.). After consultation with the responsible auditors, the IFTA AG Executive Board will confirm the suspension for a defined period in writing. It is expressly pointed out that during this period, the certificate or mark shall not be used in business transactions or for advertising purposes. Only after a new surveillance or recertification audit or a short-notice audit can the certificate or approval for use of the mark be reissued.

Conditions for withdrawal of certification

In the event of misuse of the certification, the certification or approval to use the mark will be withdrawn.

Misuse of a certificate/approval to use the mark occurs if the certificate holder/approval holder:

leaves third parties unclear about the scope of certification or misrepresents it,
does not use the certificate/approval in accordance with the concluded contract,
continues to use the certificate/approval despite suspension or expiry

Misuse also occurs if the conditions that existed when the certificate was issued are no longer met.

If misuse is detected, the following will occur:

A warning will be issued with information to DAkkS and/or BLE and/or the scheme owner,
Removal from the list of certified organizations/customers and, if necessary, publication of the misuse on the IFTA AG website.

If this does not lead to the cessation of the misuse of the certificate/approval for use of the mark, legal action will be taken.

Cancellation of the validity of a certificate/approval

A certificate/approval shall be cancelled

if the certificate holder/approval holder for use of the mark goes bankrupt,
if the company/organization of the certificate holder/approval holder for use of the mark is absorbed into a larger company and the certification agreement is not taken over,
if the company/organisation of the certificate holder/approval holder for the use of the mark relocates its main business activities in whole or in part abroad. If maintenance is desired, a new certification procedure must be initiated.

Please also note the schematic representation of a certification process our declaration of impartiality in the performance of certification activities and our General Terms and Conditions.

Statement of Impartiality in the Conduct of Certification Activities

Statement of Impartiality in the Conduct of Certification Activities

To ensure the effectiveness of our operations and compliance with the requirements of international accreditation standards and national regulations, IFTA AG maintains a documented quality management system that aligns with the relevant provisions as well as the nature, scope, and extent of the activities to be carried out.

IFTA AG is an independent and neutral certification body and operates according to the principles of impartiality. This means that all certification activities are carried out objectively and free from any conflicts of interest. IFTA AG provides access to its certification competence to all applicants in an impartial manner and under equal terms. In the case of inquiries and assignments , IFTA AG ensures that all interested clients have access to its services, provided that the required sector-specific competence is in place. Inquiries and assignments are always processed following a consistent procedure, regardless of a company’s size or its organizational affiliations. Fees are calculated based on company-specific criteria in accordance with IFTA AG’s fee schedule.

To ensure objectivity, the certification of a management system, product, process, or service is conducted in two steps: first, an audit or inspection is performed by an authorized individual or team; second, the formal and technical evaluation and certification is carried out by at least one other employee of IFTA AG. The technical evaluation and certification decision is carried out by competent, neutral auditors of IFTA AG who are not involved in the audit process. The management and staff of the certification body are free from commercial, financial, or other dependencies that could influence the certification outcome. Individuals involved in certification decisions are selected to ensure that no commercial, financial, or other dependencies can arise.

IFTA AG has clear procedures regarding the issuance, maintenance, extension, suspension, withdrawal, cancellation, and revocation of certification. The certification body maintains a register of current certificate holders, including any suspensions and withdrawals of certificates. Information on this is provided to interested parties (e.g., clients, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, consumers, and other public groups) upon request and in compliance with confidentiality agreements by the Executive Board and authorized representatives.

If third parties request specific information about IFTA AG’s clients, the Executive Board of IFTA AG will verify the requester’s authorization and inform the client or obtain their consent accordingly. If IFTA AG is legally obligated to provide third parties with information about confidential matters, it will inform the client in advance, where legally permissible.

IFTA AG ensures a clear separation between the certification of organizations and other activities that are part of its business areas. The Executive Board of IFTA AG conducts an annual and ad hoc review of potential conflicts of interest, that could arise from relationships with affiliated entities (such as subsidiaries) or through collaboration with other individuals, entities, or organizations. The results are provided to the Committee for Ensuring Impartiality (see below).

IFTA AG declares that confidentiality, objectivity, and impartiality are not compromised by affiliated entities of the certification body or through cooperation with other individuals, entities, or organizations. IFTA AG does not provide:

Services to organizations it certifies itself,
Certification services for certification bodies
Consulting services for obtaining or maintaining the organization’s certification,
Consulting services for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the organization’s management systems,
Internal audits for clients,
Certification body activities alongside consulting activities for management systems,
Certification of products, processes, or services that it develops, manufactures, offers, implements, operates, or supports. Additionally, no audits are outsourced to consulting organizations for management systems.

Additionally, no audits are outsourced to consulting organizations for management systems.

At IFTA AG, a supervisory committee, the Kuratorium in der Zertifizierungsstelle (KIZ), has been established. This committee assists the Executive Board in the development of fundamental regulations concerning impartiality, performs an oversight role to ensure the continuous and objective delivery of certification activities, and provides counsel on matters related to public representation, particularly with respect to neutrality, transparency, and the equitable treatment of all clients. It is composed of representatives from the industries and sectors in which IFTA AG operates as a certification body. No individual interests dominate within the committee. The committee meets at least once a year.

Appeals, Complaints, and Incident / Crisis Cases

Appeals

An appeal is a legal remedy that can be lodged by the customer against IFTA AG in proceedings or against a specific form of action. Appeals may be lodged against the certification procedure, the certification decision, or the certification body and must always be made in writing. They must be addressed to the Executive Board of IFTA AG. Appeals are handled by IFTA AG according to fixed deadlines and a clear procedure.

When processing the appeal, the IFTA AG Executive Board ensures that

only persons with qualifications comparable to those of the person who made the assessment/certification decision against which the appeal is directed and who have not previously been involved in the proceedings are appointed, and
the appellant does not suffer any disadvantages and is granted the appropriate discretion and anonymity.

As a result of the processing of an appeal, a decision is made as to whether the appeal is admissible and justified and whether it can be upheld. The result of the appeal processing is communicated to the appellant in writing by the IFTA AG Executive Board, taking into account the specified deadlines.

Complaints

A complaint is defined as a statement made by customers/clients, external service providers, business partners, or interested third parties with the aim of drawing attention to behavior by IFTA AG that is subjectively perceived as harmful, obtaining redress for any damage suffered, and/or bringing about a change in the behavior that is the subject of the complaint.

Complaints are handled according to a defined procedure. Complaints can be submitted to us verbally, by telephone, by email, by letter, or by fax . All IFTA AG employees are obliged to accept a complaint and forward it in writing to their immediate superior within IFTA AG without delay and in confidence. The responsible person decides who at IFTA AG will handle the complaint. Only persons who are not directly affected by the complaint may be entrusted with handling it. The person responsible for the complaint decides how to proceed in the specific case. They are also responsible for communication with the complainant, including confirmation of receipt and notification of the outcome.

Incidents/crises

An incident/crisis is defined as any situation that could have a direct impact on the certification status of an IFTA AG customer and/or the integrity of IFTA AG and that occurs outside of an ongoing audit. This also includes incidents in/at organizations that affect food/feed safety.

Incidents/crises are handled according to a defined procedure. Incidents/crises can be reported to us verbally, by telephone, by email, by letter, or by fax . All IFTA AG employees are obliged to document the incident/crisis in writing and forward it immediately to the system responsible person and quality manager. The system responsible person decides, if necessary with the help of additional information, how to proceed and whether immediate measures, such as a special audit, need to be carried out/initiated and whether customers, standard owners, DAkkS GmbH and/or BLE and other competent authorities need to be informed.