ISO 22000 Certification - Food safety management system

What is the ISO 22000 standard?

The ISO 22000 standard sets out the requirements for a food safety management system. The current edition, ISO 22000:2018 (SR EN ISO 22000:2019), provides a framework through which organisations in the food chain identify, prevent and control food safety hazards at every stage, ‘from farm to fork’. The standard can be implemented on its own or integrated with other management systems.

The four key elements of the standard

The ISO 22000:2018 standard combines four internationally recognised elements, which together ensure food safety throughout the agri-food supply chain:

• interactive communication throughout the food chain, to identify and control hazards;
• system management, by integrating food safety into a structured management system;
• HACCP principles, for hazard analysis and the control of critical control points;
• preliminary programmes (PRP), which ensure the hygiene conditions necessary for the production of safe food.

ISO 22000 and the HACCP principles

A central element of the ISO 22000 standard is the integration of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles, developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In practice, ISO 22000 adopts the HACCP methodology – hazard analysis, identification of critical control points, establishment of critical limits and control measures – and integrates it into a comprehensive management system. For many organisations, ISO 22000 certification is the means by which an existing HACCP plan is formalised and independently verified, thus offering a structured alternative to separate HACCP certification.

How ISO 22000:2018 works

ISO 22000:2018 adopts the high-level structure (Annex SL) common to modern management standards, which facilitates integration with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001. The standard operates on the basis of the PDCA cycle and applies risk-based thinking at two levels: operational risk, addressed through HACCP-style hazard analysis, and organisational (strategic) risk, addressed through the assessment of factors that may affect the organisation’s ability to achieve its food safety objectives. ISO 22000:2018 is the current edition; the standard is currently undergoing international revision, but until a new edition is published, certification is carried out in accordance with ISO 22000:2018.

ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 – which one should you choose?

A frequently asked question is whether an organisation should opt for ISO 22000 or the FSSC 22000 scheme. The key difference is as follows: ISO 22000 is an international management standard, which can be implemented on its own or integrated with other standards, but is not recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). FSSC 22000, on the other hand, is a comprehensive scheme built on ISO 22000, to which sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional requirements are added, and it is recognised by the GFSI.

In practice, ISO 22000 is suitable for organisations seeking a robust and flexible food safety management system, without the need for GFSI recognition. When customers or retailers require GFSI-recognised certification, FSSC 22000 is the right choice. SRAC offers both types of certification and can help you identify the right solution for your situation.

The benefits of ISO 22000 certification

ISO 22000 certification brings tangible benefits:

• the supply of safe products to the next link in the food chain or to the end consumer;
• assessing and meeting customer requirements, whilst demonstrating compliance with food safety standards;
• effective communication with customers and other stakeholders throughout the food chain;
• compliance with the requirements of the food safety regulatory authorities;
• compliance with its own food safety policies;
• prevention rather than correction – it is far more effective to prevent dangers than to remedy their consequences;
• the possibility of integration with other management systems, such as ISO 9001, and a solid foundation for a subsequent transition to FSSC 22000.

The stages of ISO 22000 certification with SRAC

The ISO 22000 certification process involves auditing the food safety management system against the requirements of the standard.

1. Submission of the request for quotation and determination of the scope of certification.
2. The two-stage certification audit: a review of documentation and an on-site assessment of the system’s implementation.
3. Addressing any non-conformities and implementing corrective actions.
4. Issuance of the ISO 22000 certificate, valid for 3 years.
5. Annual surveillance audits and the recertification audit at the end of the cycle.

The cost of ISO 22000 certification

The cost of ISO 22000 certification depends on the size of the organisation, the number of employees, the complexity of the processes and the number of sites. To find out the exact cost of ISO 22000 certification, the best option is to request a personalised quote.

Why SRAC

SRAC is accredited by RENAR – the national accreditation body (certificate no. SM 004) – for the certification of food safety management systems.

The SRAC certificate is internationally recognised thanks to its accreditation by RENAR – a signatory to the international IAF-MLA agreement and its partnership with IQNET (The International Certification Network).

Organisations certified by SRAC receive both the SRAC certificate and the IQNET certificate at no extra cost. This reassures customers and business partners that the audits have been carried out to the highest standards of impartiality and professionalism, and also facilitates access to foreign markets.

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Sectors and organisations eligible for ISO 22000 certification

ISO 22000 is aimed at all organisations involved, directly or indirectly, in the agri-food supply chain, regardless of their size. These include primary producers, food manufacturers, transport and storage operators, catering companies, distributors and retailers, as well as suppliers of related services or materials (for example, manufacturers of equipment or packaging). In practice, any organisation wishing to demonstrate responsible food safety management can obtain ISO 22000 certification.