The 11th IFS International Conference in Bucharest: Standards, Safety, and Strategic Partnerships

On Monday, May 12, 2025, the 11th edition of the IFS – International Featured Standards Conference took place at Crowne Plaza Hotel Bucharest, organized by INAQ Consulting in collaboration with IFS Management GmbH. The event is a landmark gathering for professionals in the FMCG and retail sectors.

This year’s edition was a special occasion, as INAQ Consulting celebrated 25 years of top-tier consultancy services.

Conference Theme: “Production. Logistics. Retail. Export.”

The conference brought together a wide range of experts from the food and FMCG industries, retailers, government representatives, certification bodies, and consultants to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Key topics included the latest updates and requirements of IFS standards and strategies for their effective implementation (IFS Food 8, IFS HPC 3, IFS Logistics 3).

Opening Remarks and Key Updates

The conference was officially opened by Ionuț Nache, General Manager of INAQ Consulting and IFS Representative in Romania, alongside Stephan Tromp, Managing Director of IFS Management GmbH.

Mario Schuster, Market Development Director at IFS Management GmbH, followed with a presentation on the certification market in Romania and introduced IFS Supply Chain Solutions 2025, highlighting its role in simplifying and enhancing supply chain risk management.

Monica Neagu, Director of the Directorate for Non-Animal Origin Food Safety at the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), shared a message emphasizing inter-institutional collaboration to strengthen food safety.

Expert Insights and Presentations

Representatives from IFS Management GmbH provided in-depth insights into the implementation and evolution of IFS standards. Speakers Chryssa Dimitriadis, Joachim Schulz, Mariana Estrada, Sybil-Marie Deinhard, and Théo Marie addressed topics such as:

• Audit feedback for IFS Food 8, Logistics 3, and HPC 3
• The IFS Integrity Program
• New supply chain solutions and ESG compliance tools

Yordanka Yanusheva, PR & Key Account Manager at Biotrend Plus SRL, showcased innovative safety and hygiene solutions for the food industry tailored to current market requirements.

Retail & Local Producer Partnerships

The second part of the conference began with a message from George Bădescu, Executive Director of AMRCR (Romanian Association of Large Retail Networks), followed by a panel led by Tiberiu Dănețiu and guests, discussing partnerships between major retail chains and Romanian producers, including Auchan and its local food suppliers.

Inspiring Success Stories

The “Success Stories” session spotlighted inspiring examples from the Romanian food industry. Speakers shared how performance, innovation, and commitment to quality and safety standards can go hand in hand. Presenters included:

• Octavian Păltănea, Development Director at Carmistin The Food Company
• Sergiu Mulțescu, General Manager of Artesana
• Dacian Badea, General Manager of Silvania Bio

The session was completed by a presentation film from Cris-Tim, illustrating the company’s commitment to food safety, transparency, and innovation.

Roundtable Discussion: Competitive Advantage through Process Optimization

The roundtable titled “Competitiveness through Optimized Processes: Solutions for the FMCG & Retail Industry” featured:

• Andrei Teaha, Country Managing Director, CWS Workwear Romania
• Angelos Spiliotis, Co-Owner Axiven & Managing Director Axiven Pest Control Romania
• Horațiu Bașa, Managing Director, Testo Romania
• Radu Puiu, Chief Revenue Officer, IT Genetics
• Adrian Bălăoi, CEO, Frigo Consult Tehnic AB
• Robert Buta, General Manager, NSF Romania

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