With just a few days before the IFS 2024 Conference, an event that has become a tradition in the food, household products, and personal care industries, we are preparing to bring you the latest information and updates in these essential fields. The IFS 2024 Conference, now in its 10th edition, is ready to open its doors for a day dedicated to learning, development, and networking.

The event, which will take place at Hotel Marshal Garden on May 23, 2024, is set to bring together an impressive number of specialists from all industry sectors, offering participants a unique and distinctive opportunity to exchange ideas, be inspired by new practices, and explore solutions within their fields of activity.

With each edition, the IFS Bucharest Conference has become a firm reference point in the professional calendar of those in supply, FMCG, and retail industries. This event represents a moment of meeting and reconnecting for participants with their business partners, collaborators, customers, and suppliers, as well as with certifiers and experts in their field.

During the event, participants will have the opportunity to discover the latest versions of the IFS standards, including IFS Food 8, IFS HPC 3, IFS Broker 3.2, IFS Logistics 3, and IFS PACsecure 3. These standards are essential for ensuring the quality and safety of products, facilitating cooperation within the supply chain, and improving product integrity.

The primary mission of the IFS Food 8 Standard is to improve product integrity, a mission in which it teams up with the IFS HPC 3 Standard. The latter aims to evaluate the safety and quality management system, as well as the production processes of household and personal care products.

Additionally, information about IFS Logistics will be presented, the standard dedicated to logistics service providers. This standard ensures that all transportation, storage, and distribution processes comply with international safety and efficiency norms. Adopting IFS Logistics is crucial for companies as it allows them to demonstrate their commitment to superior logistics practices and responsibility for product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Information about IFS PACsecure will also be presented, the standard dedicated to packaging manufacturers, which is vital for protecting and preserving product quality throughout the distribution cycle. Adhering to IFS PACsecure helps manufacturers align with global expectations for ecological responsibility and meet the rigorous requirements of customers and regulations.

Furthermore, the role of the IFS Broker Standard in optimizing distribution and brokerage processes will be discussed. This standard, essential in the modern industry, ensures that all brokerage operations are carried out according to the strictest safety and efficiency norms, facilitating reliable connections between producers and markets.

Through IFS Broker, companies can ensure that the supply chain remains secure and transparent, minimizing the risks associated with product alteration or contamination.

Information about the IFS ESG Check Standard will also be presented. These standards aim to evaluate the safety and quality management system in accordance with ESG (environmental, social, governance) principles.

Among the discussion topics, the importance of aligning with sustainable development principles (ESG principles) will be highlighted, with a focus on the environment, social aspects, and transparency. This aspect is becoming increasingly crucial in the current context of global concerns regarding sustainability and corporate responsibility.

It is crucial to emphasize that ESG responsibility is not limited exclusively to large companies. Therefore, the IFS ESG Check tool offers the possibility for all companies, including small and medium-sized ones, to start the process of aligning with sustainable operating principles and practices.

During the conference, we will explore in detail how the IFS ESG Check works, its implementation process, and stakeholder involvement. We will also look at a comparison with the European perspective, highlighting the local, regional, national, and European approach to adopting ESG principles.

It is time for every company to make a firm commitment towards sustainable and responsible development. Regardless of the size or field of activity of the company, there are resources and solutions available to make this possible.

We invite you to join us at the IFS 2024 Conference to learn more about how you can contribute to transforming the industry and creating a more sustainable future for all.

The event is organized with the support of the following partners:

**PLATINUM:** Cris-Tim, CWS-boco România, Sato, Renomia Gallagher, Biotrend Plus, CMC Grup Risk Advisor, AB Frigo Consult, Mirdatod

**GOLD:** Artesana, Ebury, Râureni, Testo, Axiven Pest Control, Salesianer, Kiwa, Eisberg, SGS România, E-labels, Crama Basilescu, Tuborg

**SILVER:** Via Trend (Daniela’s), Fotometric Research Laboratory, Pan Food, CIA Aboliv, VPK Packaging, EV connect, GS1 Romania

**SUPPORTERS:** ROMALIMENTA, Association of Large Retail Networks in Romania - AMRCR, Netherlands Romanian Chamber of Commerce – NRCC, ASEMER, Association of Spanish Companies in Romania, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC), Embassy of Sustainability in Romania, Hellenic Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, Association for the Promotion of Romanian Food – APAR, Belgian Luxembourg Romanian Moldovan Chamber of Commerce, Coalition for Circular Economy – CERC, Romanian Meat Association, RUCODEM, Supreme Council of European Business, Sibiu Salami Producers Association, Romania Green Building Council, Canadian Business Exchange CBEX, ARILOG, Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRCCI), Romania Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry

**MOBILITY PARTNER:** BLUE

**MEDIA:** Transilvania Business, Modern Buyer, ROaliment, MEAT.MILK., Business Voice Romania, Nomade Communication