 Extension of the certification scope

In the case of an organization requesting an extension of the scope of the certificate to areas of activity that were not covered by the certification. Documenting the extension of the scope of certification is carried out in accordance with Procedure D0K-16 System certification and supervision process according to the ISO or IFS standard.

If new processes or products other than those within the scope of the current IFS Food Assessment are implemented between two (2) IFS Certification Assessments (e.g. seasonal products), the certified establishment shall immediately inform its certification body, which performs a risk assessment to make a decision, whether and when an extension assessment should be carried out. The results of this risk assessment, based on hygiene and safety risks, must be documented.

If the certification body decides that an IFS Food Assessment Extension is required, it is not necessary to conduct a full new IFS Food Assessment, but only an on-site IFS Extension Assessment during the validity period of the existing certificate (continuous certification cycle).

IFS Food Extended Assessment should always be carried out if the products and/or technology scopes and the HACCP plan (especially CCP) differ from those assessed during the "main" IFS Assessment (this principle also applies to production lines that were not launched during IFS "major" assessment) and/or there is a significant change in the production process and/or its environment.

If the IFS Extension Assessment shows compliance, the certificate should be updated with the new scope and uploaded to the IFS Database together with the IFS Extension Assessment report. The updated certificate retains the same expiration date as the current certificate. After conducting the IFS Extension Assessment, the IFS Recertification Assessment should also cover the activities assessed during the IFS Extension Assessment (all on one certificate). In the event of a major non-conformance (Major), a "D" KO requirement score, or a score <75% after the IFS Extended Assessment, the result of the entire IFS Food Assessment (including the main one) fails and the current certificate is suspended.

For seasonal products, an IFS Extended Assessment should be conducted to assess products that could not be assessed during activities during the duration of the "main" IFS Food Assessment. All assessed products and processes must be identified on the certificate. One IFS Recertification Assessment and one IFS Extension Assessment will take place the following year to cover all products and processes.

• Limitation and temporary limitation of the scope of certification

W wyniku przeprowadzonego auditu nadzoru lub auditu z krótkim terminem powiadamiania, w trakcie którego stwierdzono brak możliwości prowadzenia działalności w pełnym zakresie udzielonego certyfikatu oraz gdy Klient nie spełnia wymagań normy odniesienia stanowiącej podstawę certyfikacji dla części zakresu udzielonej certyfikacji.

• Na wniosek organizacji, bez wykonywania auditu.

Note: Minor stylistic or wording changes are not considered a change to the scope of certification.

 Certification Suspension

• (Suspension is a temporary limitation of the validity of the certification and the possibility of using the certificate as a result of the Customer's failure to comply with the certification conditions and entails the limitation of active advertising and promotion of the certification of its Management System by Grand Cert Sp. z o.o.)

• • The client does not meet the obligations or certification requirements

• • The client does not allow surveillance or recertification audits to be performed at the required frequency.

• If the company denies access to the auditor (except in "force majeure"), the currently valid IFS certificate will be suspended by the certification body within a maximum of two (2) business days from the date of the IFS Assessment.

All users who have access to the IFS Database and have listed the company in their "favorite list" will receive an e-mail notification from the IFS Database informing them that the company's current certificate has been suspended. This information will be visible in the company history in the IFS Database. The company will be invoiced by the certification body for the full cost of the IFS Assessment. Additionally, the next IFS Food Assessment can only be scheduled as announced.

• If one or more major nonconformances have been identified or one or more KO requirements have been rated “D” during the IFS Food Assessment, the following applies:

- the current IFS certificate is suspended in the IFS Database (IFS Database) by the certification body as soon as possible, and within a maximum of two (2) working days from the date of the IFS Food Assessment recertification.

- the report is placed in the IFS database (IFS Database)

- the certification body is obliged to include explanations (in English) regarding the reasons for suspending the current certificate. Explanations for identified non-conformance(s) should indicate the requirement number(s) and should contain the same details as those described in the action plan.

Note: All users with access to the IFS Database Portal and having the company in their "Favorite List" will receive an automatic email notification (with an explanation of the non-conformances found) that the current certificate has been suspended.

• • Within three months the client did not send supplementary information required by Grand Cert Sp. z o. o.

• • The client failed to take corrective actions within three months after the assessment, unless a different deadline was agreed with Grand Cert Sp. z o. o. or there has been a change of the previously agreed date.

• Detection of improper use of certification marks of Grand Cert Sp. z o. o. unauthorized use of accreditation marks and lack of reaction or ineffectiveness of actions after a written warning of the Customer of Grand Cert Sp. z o.o.;

 The client voluntarily requested suspension of the certification process.

 Withdrawal of certification (Withdrawal of the certificate means the withdrawal of the Grand Cert Sp. z o.o. certification from the Customer and the return to Grand Cert Sp. z o.o. of all issued certificates and certification marks of Grand Cert Sp. z o.o.. Certificate withdrawal is usually the result of suspension, when there is no evidence of effective corrective actions on the part of the client).

• Withdrawal of the IFS certificate by Grand Cert Sp. z o.o. is only acceptable if it is found that the products/processes may no longer meet the requirements of the certification system. The only exception to this rule may be related to non-payment for the IFS Food Assessment by the certified company. The agreement between the certification body and the assessed company must include the certification cycle.

• • the issues that caused the suspension of the certification's validity were not resolved within the time agreed by the interested parties, including, for example, incorrect, misleading use of the certificate or certification mark despite the fact that it was the reason for the suspension of the certificate.

• statement of permanent cessation of the provision of services, implementation of processes covered by the certified system, cessation of activity

• at the express request of the Customer

Note: Withdrawal of a Certificate is a serious decision that should only be taken when it becomes evident that any corrective action, including suspension, is not sufficiently effective to bring the Client's management system back into full compliance with the certification requirements.