FSSC 22000

The FSSC 22000 food safety management system provides the framework to efficiently manage and fulfil your responsibility for food safety and quality. FSSC 22000 is fully recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is based on existing and globally valid ISO standards. The certified organisation demonstrates that it has implemented a robust and effective food safety management system (FSMS) to meet the requirements of authorities, other food businesses and consumers.

FSSC 22000

The FSSC 22000 food safety management system provides the framework to efficiently manage and fulfil your responsibility for food safety and quality. FSSC 22000 is fully recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is based on existing and globally valid ISO standards. The certified organisation demonstrates that it has implemented a robust and effective food safety management system (FSMS) to meet the requirements of authorities, other food businesses and consumers.

Summary

The FSSC 22000 is a standard for food safety based on the requirements of ISO 22000. The standard is sponsored by the FSSC Foundation.

In contrast to ISO 22000 alone, the FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) is recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) and therefore enjoys increased international trust.

Development

FSSC 22000 Update 5.1

Motivation:

Schedule:

  • Publication FSSC 22000 v5.1 - End of October 2020
  • Audits according to v5.1 - from 01 April 2021

Certificates:

  • This is a "minor" revision.
  • The existing certificates remain valid. No new certificates will be issued.

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New Version: FSSC 22000 V5

The new version 5 was published at the end of May 2019.

In 2019, all audits will still take place according to version 4.1. Primarily unannounced audits will take place.

The main changes:

  • Adaptation to ISO 22000:2018
  • Consideration of the interested parties (stakeholders)
  • Compliance with the GFSI requirements (Global Food Safety Initiative)
  • Processing in the sense of continuous improvement

The certified organisation determines the necessary measures and implements them in a timely manner.

Upgrade audits to version 5 must be carried out in 2020 (between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020).

If the requirements of version 5 are met by the organisation, no additional audit time is necessary.

Since its inception, FSSC 22000 has positioned itself as a world-leading certification system.

FSSC 22000 was developed in response to the needs of the international food sector and provides an independent ISO-based food safety management system for third-party auditing and certification of your FSMS.

FSSC 22000 is fully based on the international, independent standards: ISO 22000, ISO 22003 with industry specific technical specifications for Prerequisite Hygiene Programmes (PRPs) and additional system requirements.

The FSSC 22000 V5 standard and other documents are available free of charge on the FSSC website.

Utilisation

All parties involved in the food chain (from the stable to the plate) can be certified according to FSSC 22000. In particular, companies that trade food but do not handle or process it and those that manufacture or supply products for the food industry (medicines, packaging, services, etc.) as well as caterers and other companies in the catering industry can be certified according to this standard.

Fields of application

The FSSC 22000 scopes define the requirements for a management system that are necessary to fulfil the diverse demands of authorities, food companies and consumers.

All companies along the food supply chain, regardless of their size and complexity, can benefit from FSSC 22000 certification. This includes companies involved in the trade, processing or production of:

  • Perishable animal products (e.g. meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and fish products)
  • Perishable plant products (e.g. packaged fresh fruit and fresh juices, preserved fruit, packaged fresh vegetables, preserved vegetables)
  • Products with a long shelf life (e.g. tinned food, biscuits, snacks, oil, drinking water, drinks, pasta, flour, sugar, salt)
  • Food ingredients (e.g. vitamins, minerals, biocultures, flavourings, enzymes and processing aids)
  • Food packaging materials (direct, indirect contact with food)
  • Food and feed for animals (e.g. animal feed, fish feed)
  • Primary products (e.g. milk, fish, eggs, honey)
  • Transport and storage activities along the entire food supply chain
  • Catering services (e.g. aviation catering, railway, school and industrial kitchens, hospitals)

Certification body

FSSC 22000 works exclusively with licensed certification bodies that are accredited according to ISO/IEC.

ISO/IEC 17021-1 is the standard for certification bodies that offer audits and certifications of management systems. It ensures that the certification body carries out the certification of management systems competently, consistently and impartially. One of the main components of ISO /IEC 17021-1 is the requirement for independence and impartiality of the certification body and its auditors.

In addition, the FSSC 22000 integrity programme ensures centralised surveillance of its licensed certification bodies and their auditors to ensure consistency, conformity and confidence in the FSSC 22000 certification.

Swiss Safety Center AG is accredited to conduct FSSC 22000 audits in the following areas:

  • Perishable products of animal origin
  • Perishable plant products
  • Products with a long shelf life
  • Feed for pets
  • Food ingredients
  • Food packaging materials

Audit process

The audit process for FSSC 22000 is based on the ISO 22000 series of standards and has a cycle of three years. The certificate issued proves that a food safety and quality management system fully complies with the requirements of FSSC 22000. To ensure and support continuous improvement within the company, a surveillance audit is carried out annually, followed by a full re-certification audit every three years.

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