In 2026, voluntary certifications in the food industry – IFS, BRCGS, FSSC 22000 and other private standards – are no longer optional marketing instruments, but operational conditions for access to modern retail and external markets. From an economic perspective, they become a structural cost, not a one-off expense.

The European legislative framework, through Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and Regulation (EC) 178/2002 laying down the general principles of food law, establishes the operator’s responsibility for product safety. Private standards go beyond the legal minimum, imposing annual audits, advanced digital traceability, risk management, and extensive documented procedures.

The economic mechanism is clear. Direct costs include audit fees, consultancy, staff training, and infrastructure investments. Indirect costs include administrative time, temporary production disruptions, and continuous updates of procedures. For SMEs, these expenses can represent a significant share of the operating margin.

Data published by the European Commission on food chain safety indicate an increase in retailer requirements in the 2024–2026 period, particularly regarding traceability, allergen management, and contaminant control. OECD analyses on SME competitiveness show that certified companies gain easier access to stable contracts and export markets, but bear higher fixed costs.

In 2026, certification becomes a selection filter. Operators unable to financially and administratively sustain these standards are gradually excluded from modern distribution chains.

The structural implication is evident: in the contemporary food industry, competitive advantage lies not only in production capacity, but in the credibility of the internal control system. Certification does not automatically generate profit, but its absence generates exclusion.

(Photo: Freepik)