FSSC 22000:2010 - FSMS Certification and Registration

The Foundation for Food Safety Certification (FSSC) developed FSSC 22000. This development is supported by the Confederation of the Food Drink Europe. The scheme is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

The Foundation for Food Safety Certification is non-profit organization that is recognized by the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA). FSSC 22000 is owned by a not for profit Foundation named- the Foundation for Food Safety Certification- with its legal seat in The Netherlands. The Foundation is governed by strict laws ensuring the continuing independency, non-profit nature and transparency.

Like any other industry group, responsible food manufacturers work to maintain strict safety standards to ensure that their products can be enjoyed by all, without fear of health risks. But the food supply chains can extend across various countries with different standards, and involve many different organizations and subcontractors. Prior to reaching consumers, food production is affected by companies from feed producers and canners to truckers and retail stores. One weak link–a single ingredient or poorly operated farm–can result in unsafe food that is dangerous to consumers. This is a hazard to public health that can incur huge costs and adverse publicity for the firms in the food chain.

FSSC 22000:2010 is a combination of ISO 22000:2005 and ISO/TS 22002-1:2009.

ISO 22000 is the “Food safety management systems —Requirements for any organization in the food chain”

ISO/TS 22002-1 is the “Prerequisite programmes on food safety —Part 1: Food manufacturing.

This standard was intended to be compatible with the current tools for food safety management, ISO 9001 and HACCP, and to extend its reach for greater diligence.

HISTORY

ISO 22000 was published in September 2005, to provide a framework of requirements, and confirm a global approach for an international industry. The standard was developed within ISO by experts from the food industry, along with representatives of specialized international organizations. Additional cooperation came from the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was established by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to develop food standards.

The Codex HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) is widely accepted as an essential tool for managing food safety especially when combined with an auditable management system. In fact, ISO 22000 will make it easier for organizations worldwide to implement the Codex HACCP system for food hygiene in way that will be consistent regardless of the specific food product or the country involved.

Previously, more than 20 different national standards had arisen, creating uneven levels of food safety, adding costs and complications. The new standard was needed to curtail the costs and hardship involved in food borne illnesses, particularly in developing countries. ISO 22000 is backed by international consensus, generating requirements for good practice on a worldwide basis.

Food safety audits are designed to be in-depth, rigorous, and transparent. As ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-1 are covering food safety, the whole audit is focused on the management and assurance of food safety. Most organizations that want to integrate quality in their management system follow the requirements of ISO 9001. The fact that ISO 22000 uses the same format as other management system standards makes this integration easy.

NEW STANDARDS BRING BENEFITS

An ISO-based supply chain approach and independent scheme management is used. FSSC 22000 uses international, independent ISO standards and additional requirements. These standards are not owned by a specific stakeholder organization like most other GFSI recognized schemes. The standards are developed and maintained by Food Safety experts from around the world working together in an ISO committee. The experts are nominated by the members of ISO, the national standardization organizations.

FSSC 22000 is managed by the Board of Stakeholders. The Board represents the interests of all involved parties globally and has members from different stakeholder organizations representing manufacturers, food service organizations, retailers etc. All members represent a trade organization.

ISO/IEC 17021 accreditation (system & process approach) scheme is applied. Another significant difference between a management system audit and a process / product audit is that management system audits focus also much stronger on management commitment, effectiveness, and continuous improvement. This supports the organization in achieving better results and a higher level of conformity.

FSSC 22000 is a fully transparent scheme. All information can be found on the FSSC website and there are no costs to obtain this information. On the website you can find all scheme requirements, decisions taken by the Board, the names of licensed certification bodies, the names of accreditation bodies recognizing FSSC 22000, names of the members of the Board of Stakeholders etc.

CUSTOMERS SEEK CERTIFICATION

As a certified food supplier you assure your customers that your products, ingredients and equipment meet agreed-upon standards, saving the sales department time and resources. These transactions go more smoothly because your reputation for performance has already been established by your registration through an accredited registrar. In addition, you gain:

• Increased customer satisfaction
• Ongoing operational improvements
• Fewer errors and lower return rates
• Greater productivity and improved performance
• Simplified and effective documentation
• Greater audit and surveillance efficiency

As companies work with independent auditors to enhance and certify their management systems, they often learn ways to improve their systems and management practices. Through independent certification by an accredited registrar like SRI, firms that manufacture, package, or produce food will demonstrate that they have an effective quality management system in place, impressing current customers and gaining greater access to new markets.

ALIGNED with ISO 9001

While ISO 22000 can be implemented on its own, it is designed to be fully compatible with ISO 9001. Companies already certified to ISO 9001 will find it easy to extend this certification to include ISO 22000. To help users to do so, ISO 22000 includes a table showing the correspondence of its requirements with those of ISO 9001.

ISO 9001 is a standard that can be audited, providing certification and respect for the company involved. Food service firms can use 9001 and 22000 together – or extend their existing 9001 system – to meet these food safety requirements. ISO 22000 is structured in accordance with the eight clauses of ISO 9001. It is international, and can be used by any company within the entire food chain for certification and registration.

TO LEARN MORE

Additional information on ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-1 can be found in the ISO Catalogue in the ISO Store at http://www.iso.org. The ISO 22000 standard includes references to additional documents, such as:

• ISO/TS 22004, Food safety management systems – Guidance on the application of ISO 22000:2005. The design and implementation of an organization's FSMS are influenced by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, food safety hazards associated with the product and/or process, products that are produced, processes employed, and the size and structure of the organization. This standard provides important guidance that can assist small and medium sized food enterprises around the world.

• ISO 19011, Guidelines for auditing management systems – This International Standard provides guidance on auditing management systems, including the principles of auditing, managing audit programs and conducting management system audits, as well as guidance on the evaluation of competence of individuals involved in the audit process including those responsible for audit program management, auditors and audit teams.

• ISO 22005, Traceability in the feed and food chain – General principles and basic requirements for system design and implementation. This International Standard gives the principles and specifies basic requirements for the design and implementation of a feed and food traceability system. It can be applied by an organization operating at any step in the feed and food chain.

• In partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) – the technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) – ISO is also preparing an easy-to-use checklist for small businesses and developing countries, entitled ISO 22000: Are you ready?