The standards we audit against — explained factually.
We assess operational and documentary compliance against internationally recognised standards. This page explains what each standard covers and, just as importantly, clarifies our role in relation to it.
Important distinction
Baltic Compliance Partners is not an accredited certification body for IFS, BRCGS, HACCP or any other scheme referenced on this page. We audit against the requirements of these standards and report on compliance status within the scope of our engagement. We do not issue official certificates, and our confirmations do not constitute certification under any of these schemes. Certification remains the exclusive responsibility of accredited certification bodies operating under the relevant scheme owner's accreditation rules.
An overview of the frameworks most relevant to our clients.
Food Safety IFS (International Featured Standards)
IFS Food and related IFS standards define detailed requirements for food safety and quality management across production, handling and logistics. They are widely required by retailers and trading partners in the food supply chain.
Our role: we perform audits against IFS requirements to assess a site's operational and documentary compliance status, including in preparation for a formal IFS certification audit or between certification cycles. We do not issue IFS certificates; formal IFS certification is granted exclusively by IFS-approved, accredited certification bodies.
Food Safety BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance — Global Standards)
BRCGS standards cover food safety, packaging, storage and distribution, and other sector-specific requirements, and are widely recognised by retailers and brand owners internationally.
Our role: we assess sites against BRCGS requirements, identify gaps, and support corrective action planning. Formal BRCGS certification is issued exclusively by accredited certification bodies approved under the BRCGS scheme.
Food Safety HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
HACCP is a systematic approach to identifying, evaluating and controlling food safety hazards. It underpins most food safety management systems and is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, including the EU.
Our role: we audit the design and practical implementation of a HACCP system — hazard analysis, critical control points, monitoring and verification records — and report on whether it is effectively implemented in daily operations.
GFSI-oriented Other applicable and sector-specific standards
Depending on your sector and your business partners' requirements, additional standards may be relevant — including other GFSI-recognised schemes, customer-specific codes of practice, and general good manufacturing or hygiene practice requirements.
Our role: where a standard falls outside our regular scope, we clarify at the outset whether we are able to audit against it, and we always state plainly whether formal certification under that scheme is available through us (it is not) or only through an accredited certification body.
Two distinct roles, working toward the same outcome.
| Baltic Compliance Partners | Accredited certification body |
|---|---|
| Performs independent audits and controlling assessments | Performs formal certification audits under accreditation |
| Confirms compliance status within the scope of the engagement | Issues the official certificate under the relevant scheme |
| Can be engaged flexibly, at any point in the certification cycle | Operates under fixed accreditation and scheme rules |
| Not accredited to certify under IFS, BRCGS, HACCP or similar schemes | Accredited by national or scheme-recognised accreditation bodies |
Ask us which standard applies to your business.
We will clarify the relevant standard, the audit scope, and how our findings relate to any certification you may also require.