FSSC 22000 certification scheme
FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification provides a framework for effectively managing your organization's food safety responsibilities. FSSC 22000 is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is based on existing ISO Standards.
FSSC 22000 certification scheme based on the existing internationally recognized standard ISO 22000 and complemented by technical standards ISO/TS 22002-1, ISO/TS 22002-4 and/or covering the prerequisites.
FSSC 22000 launches version 4.1 of its international food safety and quality management system certification Scheme.
FSSC 22000 version 4 was released in December 2016. In the months after publication there were several developments that influenced the drafting of FSSC 22000 version 4.1:
IGC Become a FSSC 22000 licensed Certification Body
Certification Bodies that wish to become licensed to oversee FSSC 22000 audits and certifications must meet the following two requirements.
The Certification Body (IGC:Institute of Global Certification) is accredited by any accreditation body (IAS: International Accreditation Service) which has a membership of IAF and is signatory to the IAF MLA for Management system certification. The AB shall also have agreed with the regulation for accreditation as defined in the FSSC 22000 scheme.
The IGC holds a valid accreditation against ISO 22003 under ISO/IEC Guide 17021 for the required food chain categories.
Requirements & Regulations
The scheme specifies detailed requirements for:
the food safety system of the food organizations to be certified,
the certification system of the CBs,
the system of accreditation by the accreditation bodies (ABs).
What is the difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000?
•ISO 22000 is not recognized by GFSI.
•ISO 22000 is broad in scope.
•FSSC 22000 is recognized by GFSI.
•FSSC has a more limited scope. Current scopes included are: farming, perishable animal products, food processing, feed production, food ingredients and food packaging material manufacturing.
Most companies will benefit by choosing FSSC 22000 and achieving a GFSI recognized certification. This is because many companies require that their suppliers be certified to a GFSI recognized standard. ISO 22000 is not recognized by GFSI.
FSSC 22000 is similar to ISO 22000 in that the FSSC 22000 scheme uses ISO 22000 as the requirements for the management system. However, FSSC 22000 includes additional requirements.
Requirements for FSSC 22000:
•ISO 22000:2005 Food safety management systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain International Organization for Standardization
•FSSC 22000 Part I – Requirements for organizations that require certification
•and ONE of the following:
◦ISO/TS 22001-1 Prerequisite programmes on food safety – Part 1: Food manufacturing
◦ISO/TS 22001-4 Prerequisite programmes on food safety – Part 4: Food packaging manufacturing
◦PAS 222 applies to animal feed production
◦ISO/TS 22001-4 Prerequisite programmes on food safety – Part 4: Food packaging manufacturing
Benefits of FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) 22000?
- FSSC 22000 is a food safety management certification, which enables manufacturers to focus their food safety efforts on scientific and technical advances, and their audit resources on continuous improvement.
- FSSC 22000 is owned and governed by a non profit foundation.
- FSSC 22000 is governed by a Board of Stakeholders representing a range of relevant international sectors with an independent chair. This provides FSSC 22000 with an independence from any specific stakeholder and ensures international commitment.
- FSSC 22000 is based on the international family of ISO 22000 standards:
- it has global recognition and worldwide credibility;
- it provides a common language, improving communication and food safety across the supply chain;
- it provides a systematic management protocol for pre requisite programs (PRPs), with control focused on what is really necessary;
- it provides confidence to other stakeholders of an organization?s ability to identify and control food safety hazards;
- it provides sufficient flexibility to take specific and varied customer requirements into account.
- FSSC 22000 is recognized by GFSI and accepted by ABs worldwide.
Reason of FSSC 22000 certification scheme development?
- FSSC 22000 was developed to facilitate broader acceptance of ISO 22000, and recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
- ISO 22000 alone is not recognized by the GFSI.
- FSSC 22000 provides the certification scheme, the audit protocol, and the owner organization required to meet the GFSI benchmarking requirements.
- FSSC 22000 is the name chosen for the sum of ISO 22000, the sector specific PRPs like ISO/TS 22002-1 and the additional requirements.
