Key Benefits of FSSC 22000 Certification
Global Recognition: FSSC 22000 is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), making it a widely accepted standard for food safety management.
Enhanced Food Safety: it emphasizes continuous monitoring and improvement of food safety management systems.
Competitive Advantage: demonstrates an organization’s commitment to food safety, fostering trust among customers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
Supply Chain Efficiency: encourages better collaboration with suppliers and partners by creating a unified approach to food safety across the supply chain.
Introduction to FSSC 22000
The FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification scheme provides a framework for effectively managing your food safety and quality responsibilities. FSSC 22000 is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is largely based on existing ISO Standards. Certification demonstrates that a company has a robust and effective food safety management system (FSMS) in place to meet the requirements of regulators, food business clients and consumers. FSSC accreditation is held by FoodChain ID Certification S.A.
The audit process for FSSC 22000 is based on the ISO 22000 framework and has a three-year cycle. To help ensure continuous improvement, surveillance audits are scheduled annually followed by a full recertification audit once every three years. The FSSC standard requires that one of the annual surveillance audits is conducted as an unannounced audit.
The FSSC 22000 standard is based on the publicly available technical specifications:
- ISO 22000:2018 requirements for any organization in the food chain
- Relevant prerequisite programs (PRPS) based on technical specifications for the sector (EG, ISO/TS 22002-1)
- FSSC additional requirements as determined by the FSSC foundation stakeholders
Who needs FSSC Food Safety Certification? And what are the requirements?
Who is eligible for FSSC Certification
- Finished food manufacturers (branded & unbranded products)
- Raw material and ingredient suppliers
- Packers of primary products (e.g. fruit & vegetables)
ISO 22000 Standard requirements
- Scope
- Terms and Definitions
- Context of the organization
- Leadership
- Planning
- Support
- Operation
- Performance evaluation of the food safety management system
- Improvement
ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 details the requirements for establishing, implementing and maintaining prerequisite program (PRP) to assist in controlling food safety hazard as specified in clause 7 of ISO 22000:2018.
ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 specifies detailed requirements to be specifically considered in relation to ISO 22000:2018, 7.2.3: a) construction and layout of buildings and associated utilities; b) layout of premises, including workspace and employee facilities; c) supplies of air, water, energy, and other utilities; d) supporting services, including waste and sewage disposal; e) suitability of equipment and its accessibility for cleaning, maintenance and preventive maintenance; f) management of purchased materials; g) measures for the prevention of cross-contamination; h) cleaning and sanitizing; i) pest control; j) personnel hygiene.
In addition, ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 adds other aspects which are considered relevant to manufacturing operations: 1) rework; 2) product recall procedures; 3) warehousing; 4) product information and consumer awareness; 5) food defence, biovigilance, and bioterrorism.
FSSC 22000 Part II Requirements for Certification
In addition to the requirements of ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 organizations seeking certification need to comply with the FSSC scheme requirements. There are 18 additional requirements in total, 16 of which apply to Food Chain Category C: Food Manufacturing.
Additional Scheme requirements
- Management of services and purchased materials (all food chain categories)
- Product labeling and printed materials (all food chain categories)
- Food defense (all food chain categories)
- Food fraud mitigation (all food chain categories)
- Logo use (all food chain categories)
- Management of allergens (all food chain categories)
- Environmental monitoring (food chain categories biii, c, i & k)
- Food safety and quality culture (all food chain categories)
- Quality control (all food chain categories)
- Transport, storage and warehousing (all food chain categories)
- Hazard control and measures for preventing cross- contamination (all food chain categories, excluding fii)
- Prp verification (food chain categories biii, c, d, g, i & k)
- Product design and development (food chain categories biii, c, d, e, f, i & k)
- Health status (food chain category d)
- Equipment management (all food chain categories, excluding fii)
- Food loss and waste (all food chain categories, excluding i)
- Communication requirements (all food chain categories)
- Requirements for organization with multi-site certification (food chain categories e, f & g)
Category Key
- FoodChain Category BIII – Pre-process handling of plant products
- FoodChain Category C – Food Manufacturing
- FoodChain Category D – Animal Feed Production
- FoodChain Category E – Catering
- FoodChain Category F – Trading, Retail,Wholesale and E-commerce
- FoodChain Category G – Transport and Storage services
- FoodChain Category I – Food Packaging Manufacturing
- FoodChain Category K – Production of (bio) Chemicals
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of FSSC certification depends on many factors including the food chain category that the site falls in to i.e. food manufacturing, the number of HACCP plans and number of employees, time required to assess PRP programmes and FSSC requirements. To take the first steps in becoming FSSC certified, please contact our office so we can assess the requirements of your business.
ISO 22000 is a worldwide standard for food safety management. Manufacturers that are ISO 22000 certified can obtain full GFSI recognized FSSC 22000 certification by meeting the requirements of the technical specifications for sector PRPs and additional FSSC 22000 scheme requirements. When converting an ISO 22000 certification to FSSC 22000 certification, a full stage 1 and 2 audit will not be required to transfer the ISO 22000 part of the FSMS to FSSC 22000. The transition audit can be combined with a scheduled ISO 22000-surveillance audit or recertification audit which must be performed at the premises of the organization.
FSSC 22000 is ideal for manufacturers, processors, and other organizations in the food supply chain.
The timeline depends on your organization’s readiness and the scope of certification, but it typically takes a few months.
Which Certification is Right for Your Organization?
Every organization’s situation is different, and we are happy to chat with you about the differences between the certifications, assessments and services we offer.
TALK TO THE EXPERTSWhy Choose This Service?
Improved Operational Efficiency
Identifies and mitigates risks proactively, leading to fewer disruptions and enhances efficiency by integrating with other ISO-based management systems.
Increased Customer Confidence
The certification provides assurance to customers and end-consumers about the safety and quality of food products. Also, it builds long-term relationships with clients who prioritize safety standards.
Scalable for All Sizes
Applicable to organizations of any size in the food and beverage industry, from small businesses to multinational corporations.
Which Certification is right for your organization?
Let our experts help you get the right Food Safety Certification.
