FSSC 22000

FSSC 22000

Food Safety Management System

Overview

Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) is a complete GFSI recognized food safety certification system for food manufacturers, based on the ISO 22000, ISO/TS 22002-1 and ISO/TS 22002-4 standards. NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR) is accredited to provide this certification under ISO/IEC 17021.

FSSC 22000 was developed to certify food safety systems of companies in the food chain that process or manufacture animal products, perishable vegetable products, products with a long shelf life and other food ingredients like additives, vitamins and bio-cultures.

Benefits of Certification

GFSI certification increases brand protection and minimizes risk. Achieving certification to FSSC 22000 provides independent certification that a product or process complies with specific international standards. It enables a food supplier to give assurances that food has been produced, prepared and handled according to the most recognized standards. It also demonstrates a commitment to quality processes and continual improvement, and enables access to top retailers.

How can FSSC 22000 improve your business? 

FSSC 22000 provides:

  • A powerful management system framework, fully integrated in the company’s overall management system and consistent with other standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
  • A robust Hazard Analysis and Risk Management methodology based on HACCP principles and ability to improve food safety effectiveness and efficiency.
  • The use of the technical specification ISO/TS 22002-1, concerning the pre-requisite programmes, as requested by ISO 22000 § 7.2 and fitting the retailers needs for the due diligence and related issues.

Other benefits to be highlighted include:

  • Independence, the standard being owned by a nonprofit foundation.
  • Multiple stakeholder approach in development and governance of the standard.
  • International and ISO worldwide credibility, built over GFSI approval.
  • Common language through global standards, ensuring worldwide consistency in implementation and allowing for benchmarking.

Features of FSSC 22000  

FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000, ISO/TS 22002-1 and ISO/TS 22003. Certification according to this scheme will be accredited under the standard ISO 17021 management system certification.

The distinctive item of this certification scheme is the use of ISO/TS 22002-1:2009, which specifies the requirements for prerequisite programs to assist in controlling food safety standards within the manufacturing processes of the food supply chain. Until early 2012, FSSC 22000 was based on PAS 220, which has been withdrawn and replaced by ISO/TS 22002-1. The technical requirements are the same, hence causing minimal changes to certified customers.

ISO/TS 22002-1, complements ISO 22000 and provides a common set of 18 pre-requisite programmes for use by food and food packaging manufacturers:

  • Construction and layout of buildings
  • Layout of premises and work space
  • Utilities – air, water, energy
  • Waste disposal
  • Equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance
  • Management of purchased materials
  • Measures for prevention of cross contamination
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Pest control
  • Personnel hygiene and employee facilities
  • Rework
  • Product recall procedures
  • Warehousing
  • Product information/consumer awareness
  • Food defense, bio-vigilance and bio-terrorism

FSSC 22000 is the first food safety certification scheme that is fully consistent with all relevant ISO standards.

Consulting & Auditing Services

  • Gap Analyses for FSSC 22000
  • FSSC 22000Food Safety System Designing, Documentation and Implementation Services
  • FSSC 22000 Internal Auditing for Food Safety Performance Improvement
  • Food Safety Legal Compliance Audit
  • Municipality, SASO and SFDA Compliance Audit and Compliance Assurance
fssc food safety system certification 22000