FSSC 22000 Certification

CERTIFICATION FOR FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES

To control the hazards related to the food safety of products placed on the market, whether they are raw materials, semi-finished products, or finished products, the ISO 22000 standard Food Safety Management Systems, integrated with the Prerequisite Program and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), has evolved into a specific standard for companies that specifically engage in food processing. FSSC 22000 is specifically designed for the food, feed, and packaging manufacturing sectors, as well as for storage and distribution, catering, and retail/wholesale sectors.

WHAT IS THE FSSC 22000 CERTIFICATION?

FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification is a certification system designed for the food industry, owned by FSSC Foundation for Food Safety Certification, and represents an evolution of ISO 22000. Managed by an independent non-profit organization, FSSC 22000 is fully endorsed and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and it provides a comprehensive certification program in a single package, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes. In particular, FSSC 22000 certification is advantageous for several reasons:

  • ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF YOUR DEDICATION
    Earn acknowledgment for the ongoing enhancement of your food safety system and its performance
  • REDUCED AUDIT BURDEN
    Since FSSC 22000 is based on ISO standards, it enables the integration with other ISO standards through combined audits, thereby decreasing the number of audits required
  • ENHANCED CUSTOMER TRUST
    FSSC 22000 is GFSI recognized, acknowledged, and accepted by major brands and retailers, boosting your reputation and instilling confidence in your customers regarding your production and supply chain management system
  • CONSIDER FSSC-Q
    This certification merges the requirements of FSSC with those of ISO 9001:2015 into a unified management system audit.
     

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HOW DOES ONE OBTAIN CERTIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE FSSC 22000 STANDARD?

The main stages of the certification process include:

  • Preliminary Audit (upon request)
    Gap analysis and assessment of the organization's level of compliance with the requirements
  • Initial and Certification Audit
    • Stage 1: Verification of the organization's level of preparedness;
    • Stage 2: Evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the management system;
    The certification phase concludes with the issuance of the certificate
  • Surveillance Visits
    During the validity period of the certificate, visits are conducted to monitor the maintenance of the system and continuous improvement. One of the two surveillance audits must be conducted unannounced
  • Renewal of Certification (at expiration).

THE FSSC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

In the growing global food industry, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) hold a crucial position within the food supply chain. To assist these organizations in ensuring the provision of safe food, global market audit programs were launched in 2011. These programs promote effective food safety management systems through a structured process of continuous improvement. In 2020, FSSC introduced a revised version of their global market audit program, now known as the FSSC Growth Initiative.

The FSSC Development Program offers a dual-level approach to aid SMEs in producing safe food. It is harmonized with CODEX HACCP principles, GFSI Global Markets standards, and integrates seamlessly with the FSSC 22000 framework. Therefore, this Initiative is particularly well-suited for SMEs aiming to fulfill the food safety requirements of their clients or seeking to expand their market reach. Organizations that comply with the FSSC Development Program requirements gain the additional advantage of being listed in the public registry on the FSSC website.

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FSSC 22000 CERTIFICATION

  • Does the FSSC 22000 scheme apply to all actors in the agri-food supply chain?

    This scheme has been designed for the certification of the hygiene management system of companies that produce the foods expressly indicated by the standard.

  • Can the FSSC 22000 scheme be integrated with other standards in the agri-food sector?

    Yes, the FSSC 22000 scheme can be integrated with the BRCGS and IFS standards, as well as with the ISO 22000 standard.

  • FSSC Development Program. Which organizations can use the program?

    The FSSC Development Program is designed for small and medium-sized producers of food products and food ingredients. This includes manufacturers of ingredients that supply other food manufacturers, as well as those that provide directly to retailers and food service organizations. The program offers benefits to various entities such as:

    • Artisanal food producers and new ventures
    • Manufacturers of food products and ingredients in emerging markets
    • Innovators of novel foods and ingredients
    • Producers of food items for supply to restaurants and retail outlets.