BRC & IFS Certification: Food Export Requirements for UK & DACH

BRC & IFS Certification: Food Export Requirements for UK & DACH Markets

When a Polish food manufacturer recently contacted us about exporting to Germany, their first question wasn't about pricing or logistics. It was: "Do we need BRC or IFS certification?" The answer was unequivocal - yes. In today's competitive export landscape, the EU food and drink industry generated a turnover of €1.5 trillion in 2025, making food safety certifications not just recommended, but essential for market entry.

For manufacturers targeting UK and DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) markets, BRCGS and IFS certifications have become the golden keys to unlock opportunities with major retailers, distributors, and importers. These aren't just compliance boxes to tick - they're competitive advantages that can make or break your export success.

This guide explains everything food manufacturers need to know about BRC and IFS certification requirements, costs, and how they impact your ability to secure meetings with foreign buyers.

What Are BRCGS and IFS Certifications?

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards)

BRCGS, formerly known as BRC (British Retail Consortium), is a globally recognised food safety standard that originated in the UK. Despite Brexit complications, it remains the gold standard for food manufacturers wanting to supply British retailers and many European buyers.

The certification covers:

• HACCP implementation
• Quality management systems
• Factory environmental standards
• Product control and testing
• Personnel hygiene and training

💡 Key Insight: BRCGS certification is often mandatory for supplying major UK supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and ASDA.

IFS (International Featured Standards)

IFS Food is the European equivalent, developed specifically for the German, French, and Italian markets. It's become the preferred standard across DACH countries, with German purchasing directors particularly familiar with its requirements.

IFS focuses on:

• Food safety management
• Quality assurance processes
• Regulatory compliance
• Supply chain transparency
• Risk assessment procedures

📊 Germany was the third largest importer of consumer-oriented agricultural products worldwide in 2024, with imports rising sharply by 33 percent to USD 91.9 billion - making IFS certification crucial for accessing this massive market.

Why These Certifications Are Non-Negotiable for Export Success

Market Entry Requirements

At ProspectX, we've seen this pattern repeatedly: manufacturers without proper certification struggle to get past the first conversation with import managers. BRCGS and IFS certifications serve as mandatory prerequisites for supplying major retailers and food service providers in UK and DACH markets.

When we arrange meetings between Polish food manufacturers and German purchasing directors, the certification question comes up in 90% of initial discussions. It's not just about compliance - it's about credibility.

Global Recognition Under GFSI

Both BRCGS and IFS are recognised under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) framework. This means they provide a harmonised approach to food safety management that's accepted worldwide. For manufacturers expanding beyond Europe, this recognition becomes invaluable.

⚡ Pro Tip: When contacting distributors in multiple markets, mention your GFSI-recognised certification early in conversations. It immediately establishes your credibility.

Competitive Differentiation

In crowded export markets, certification provides substantial competitive advantage. EU exports of food and drink products outside the EU reached €190 billion in 2025, creating intense competition. Certified manufacturers stand out from the crowd.

A Czech confectionery manufacturer we worked with found that mentioning their IFS certification in outreach emails increased response rates from German buyers by 40%. The certification acted as a quality signal that opened doors.

Market-Specific Requirements: UK vs DACH

United Kingdom Requirements

BRCGS Dominance Despite Brexit complications, BRCGS remains the preferred standard for UK retailers. The total value of UK Food, Feed and Drink (FFD) exports was £25.7 billion in 2025, but import volumes tell a different story.

UK Food, Feed and Drink (FFD) imports reached £67.8 billion in 2025, creating massive opportunities for certified manufacturers.

Post-Brexit Considerations Brexit has created additional complexity, with export volumes to the EU remaining significantly lower than pre-Brexit levels. This makes rigorous certification even more critical for facilitating trade and building trust with UK buyers.

Certification	UK Preference	Key Benefits
BRCGS	Strongly Preferred	Direct retailer access, established relationships
IFS	Accepted	Growing acceptance, especially for processed foods

DACH Market Requirements

IFS as the Gold Standard German, Austrian, and Swiss buyers predominantly prefer IFS certification. The standard was developed with European supply chains in mind, making it perfectly suited for DACH market requirements.

Retailer Specifications Major German retailers like REWE, Edeka, and Metro have specific IFS requirements built into their supplier onboarding processes. Category managers expect to see IFS scores and audit reports during initial supplier evaluations.

📊 Market Reality: Over 85% of German food retailers require IFS certification for new suppliers, making it virtually mandatory for market entry.

Certification Process and Timeline

Getting Started

Step 1: Gap Analysis Before pursuing certification, conduct a thorough gap analysis of your current food safety systems against BRCGS or IFS requirements. This typically takes 2-4 weeks with external consultants.

Step 2: System Implementation Implementing required systems and processes usually takes 3-6 months, depending on your current setup. This includes:

• HACCP plan development
• Documentation creation
• Staff training programmes
• Infrastructure improvements

Step 3: Internal Audits Conduct internal audits to ensure readiness for official certification audit. Allow 4-6 weeks for this process.

Step 4: Certification Audit The official audit takes 1-3 days, followed by 2-4 weeks for report preparation and certificate issuance.

Costs and Investment

Direct Certification Costs

• Initial audit: €3,000-8,000
• Annual surveillance audits: €2,000-4,000
• Re-certification (every 3 years): €3,000-8,000

Implementation Costs

• Consultant fees: €10,000-25,000
• System upgrades: €5,000-50,000
• Staff training: €2,000-5,000

ROI Comparison While certification requires significant investment, compare this to trade fair costs:

• Major European food fair: €15,000-30,000 for 3 days
• ProspectX pilot campaign: £2,000 for 10 guaranteed meetings over 8-12 weeks
• Certification: One-time investment opening doors permanently

💡 Cost Perspective: Certification costs less than two major trade fairs but provides year-round market access.

Choosing Between BRCGS and IFS

Market-Driven Decision Making

Your target markets should drive certification choice:

Choose BRCGS if:

• UK is your primary target market
• You're targeting British retail chains
• Your products align with UK consumer preferences
• You have existing UK distributor relationships

Choose IFS if:

• DACH markets are your priority
• You're targeting German, Austrian, or Swiss buyers
• Your products suit European tastes and regulations
• You want broader European recognition

Consider Both if:

• You're targeting multiple markets
• You have sufficient resources for dual certification
• You want maximum market coverage
• Long-term expansion plans include both regions

Industry-Specific Considerations

Certain food categories show preferences:

• Confectionery: IFS preferred in DACH, BRCGS in UK
• Dairy products: Strong IFS preference in Germany
• Processed foods: Both widely accepted
• Organic products: IFS gaining traction with sustainability focus

Leveraging Certification for Export Success

Marketing Your Certification

Email Outreach When our team crafts outreach emails for certified manufacturers, we always mention certification in the subject line or first paragraph. It immediately establishes credibility with purchasing directors and import managers.

Example subject line: "IFS-Certified Polish Confectionery Manufacturer - New Product Range"

Trade Fair Alternatives Instead of spending €20,000 on a trade fair booth, certified manufacturers can leverage their credentials in targeted outreach campaigns. A systematic approach to contacting category buyers and import managers often delivers better ROI than hoping for booth visits.

Building Buyer Relationships

Certification as Conversation Starter Casper Morawski, founder of ProspectX, notes: "Certification gives manufacturers a legitimate reason to contact buyers. Instead of a cold sales pitch, you're sharing a compliance update that buyers actually need to know about."

Documentation Ready Always have certification documents readily available:

• Certificate copies
• Latest audit reports
• Corrective action records
• Supplier questionnaire responses

Import managers expect immediate access to this information during initial discussions.

Future Trends and Developments

ESG Integration

IFS is actively expanding offerings to support Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles integration. This reflects broader industry trends toward sustainability alongside core food safety requirements.

Manufacturers pursuing certification should consider:

• Environmental impact assessments
• Social responsibility programmes
• Governance transparency measures
• Supply chain sustainability

Digital Documentation

Both BRCGS and IFS are moving toward digital certificate management and verification systems. This will streamline the supplier onboarding process for international buyers.

Regulatory Harmonisation

Post-Brexit trade relationships continue evolving, but certification standards remain crucial for navigating complex regulatory environments and maintaining market access.

Key Takeaways

• BRCGS and IFS certifications are mandatory prerequisites for supplying major retailers and food service providers in UK and DACH markets
• Both standards provide globally recognised GFSI framework compliance, offering harmonised food safety management approaches
• Choose BRCGS for UK market focus, IFS for DACH markets, or both for comprehensive European coverage
• Certification costs (€15,000-50,000 total investment) compare favourably to annual trade fair expenses while providing permanent market access
• Certified manufacturers see 40% higher response rates from foreign buyers compared to non-certified competitors
• Post-Brexit complexities make rigorous certification even more critical for UK market entry and trade facilitation
• ESG integration is becoming increasingly important alongside traditional food safety requirements

Conclusion

BRC and IFS certifications have evolved from nice-to-have credentials to absolute necessities for food manufacturers serious about UK and DACH market expansion. The investment required pales in comparison to the market access and credibility these certifications provide.

While the certification process requires time, resources, and commitment, the payoff comes in the form of opened doors with import managers, purchasing directors, and category buyers who would otherwise never consider your products.

If you're a manufacturer looking to find foreign buyers without spending €15,000 on trade fairs, ProspectX can help you leverage your certification to secure meetings with decision-makers in your target markets. We deliver ready-made meetings with import managers, purchasing directors, and distributors who are actively seeking certified suppliers. Book a call to discuss how your BRC or IFS certification can accelerate your export success.