Quality Certifications – A Strategic Asset in Milk Processing

Quality certifications are a key component in milk processing, as they ensure compliance with European and international standards on food safety, traceability, and product quality. In Romania, factories holding certifications such as ISO 22000, IFS Food, or BRC gain easier access to retail networks and export markets.

The ISO 22000 standard focuses on food safety at all stages of the production chain—from milk collection to delivery of the final product. IFS Food, primarily used for export, covers strict requirements regarding hygiene, ingredient quality, and control of technological processes.

In 2023, over 65% of large processing units in Romania were ISO 22000 certified, and 40% held IFS certification. These standards are often required by major retail chains and offer a competitive advantage over producers who do not invest in such systems.

The benefits of certification include:

• access to foreign markets;
• increased consumer trust;
• reduced risk of product recalls;
• operational efficiency through standardization.

In the long term, certifications become not only a tool for compliance but also a strategic element of differentiation for Romanian dairy brands.

(Photo: Pixabay)