Last Updated on November 19, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Understanding the IFS V8 Scoring System: Why It Matters

If you’re preparing for an IFS V8 audit, understanding how the scoring system works isn’t optional—it’s essential. I’ve seen companies pass an audit with confidence because they knew exactly how auditors evaluate findings. I’ve also seen strong operations stumble simply because they didn’t understand how KO, Major, or Minor results impact their certification grade.

Most people want clarity on one thing:
What will affect our score the most, and how do we prevent it?

By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll know how the scoring scale works, what triggers a KO, and how Majors and Minors influence your final grade. More importantly, you’ll understand how to use that knowledge to avoid unnecessary findings.

IFS V8 Scoring Scale Overview — B, C, D, and N/A Explained

IFS doesn’t just grade compliance as “pass or fail.” Instead, it uses a points-based scoring scale to show how closely you meet requirements.

Here’s the simplified version:

• A = Full conformity
• B = Broad conformity (room for improvement)
• C = Partial conformity (significant weakness)
• D = Little to no conformity
• N/A = Not applicable (but must be justified)

A real example:
A facility I worked with received multiple C findings on documentation control—not because procedures were missing, but because they weren’t updated to reflect Version 8 requirements. Those Cs dropped the final score enough to shift the grade level.

Pro Tip:
If you change a process, update the document immediately—not “sometime later.” Documentation lag is one of the fastest ways to earn a C.

Common mistake:
Believing a B or C isn’t a big deal. Multiple Bs or Cs add up and can downgrade your overall result quickly.

Key Observations (KO) — The Critical Requirements You Can’t Get Wrong

KO (Key Objective) requirements protect essential food safety principles. If you fail one, it’s serious—sometimes serious enough to stop certification.

Typical KO topics in IFS V8 include:

• Traceability and recall effectiveness
• CCP monitoring
• Food safety culture implementation
• Allergen management
• Label integrity

In one case, a facility lost certification—not because the system was weak overall—but because they couldn’t demonstrate complete traceability within the expected timeframe.

A KO finding means:

• No certificate
• Repeat audit
• Corrective actions with evidence before moving forward

Pitfall to avoid:
Relying on one trained person for a KO process. If they’re absent on audit day, it becomes a high-risk situation.

Major Non-Conformities — When Problems Show System Weakness

A Major is raised when a requirement is only partially fulfilled, and the failure could impact food safety, legal compliance, or the integrity of the product.

Common triggers include:

• Missing allergen cleaning validation
• No documented supplier approval
• Repeated CCP record gaps
• Outdated risk assessment

Majors don’t end certification automatically, but they come with consequences—follow-up actions, evidence submission, and potential downgrade in audit grade.

What helps avoid Majors?
Practice traceability and recall tests under real conditions—no rehearsing, no prep. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s control and confidence.

Minor Non-Conformities — Small Gaps, Still Meaningful

A Minor is raised when a requirement is mostly met, but something needs improvement.

Typical Minor findings include:

• Missing signatures
• Outdated forms still in use
• Training matrix not fully updated
• Slight inconsistencies between work instruction and operator execution

One client received ten Minors—nothing dramatic. But combined, they shifted the audit from a potential A to a B grade.

Pro Tip:
Standardize templates and formatting. Consistency reduces Minors more than people expect.

Impact on Certification Grade — How Findings Affect Your Final Score

Your final grade depends on:

• The total number of findings
• The severity of those findings
• Whether a KO was triggered

A simplified overview:

• No KO, few Minors → likely Grade A
• Several Bs/Cs or a Major → likely Grade B
• Multiple Majors or patterns of weak control → possible failure or downgrade
• KO → certificate withheld or full repeat audit

Audit-day behavior matters too. Transparency builds credibility. Trying to hide problems does the opposite.

FAQs — Quick Clarifications

Do multiple Minors ever become a Major?
Yes. When an issue repeats or shows a pattern, auditors escalate severity.

Can we challenge a finding?
You can if you have evidence. Documentation and records must support your case.

Is the scoring different in announced vs unannounced audits?
No—the scoring rules are identical.

Conclusion — Final Thoughts and Next Step

The IFS V8 scoring system isn’t there to catch you out—it’s designed to measure system maturity, consistency, and risk control. Understanding how KO, Major, and Minor findings work gives you a strategic advantage long before an auditor arrives.

If you want to take the next step, I can help you turn this into:

• A readiness checklist
• A scoring awareness training session
• Or a pre-audit scoring simulation for your team