FSSC 22000 Certification Scheme

DAS is the representative of SMG Inc Canada under an agency agreement to provide 3rd party certification services for multiple standards as per Schedule of Accreditation, SMG is holding Accreditation form International Accreditations Services -IAS (USA Accreditation Body) and IAS is the member of International Accreditation Forum (IAF)

Providing trust to the food supply chain, Compliance is monitored by the FSSC Integrity Program, Certification Bodies, and Accreditation bodies. Compliance activities are used to identify trends and define improvements in conjunction with licensed partners. Together with our partners, we ensure a positive impact on the consumer goods industry worldwide The FSSC 22000 Scheme is managed by Foundation FSSC and governed by an independent Board of Stakeholders comprising representatives from sectors across the food industry.

To ensure transparency and involvement of the industry, an Advisory Committee makes recommendations regarding several topics, including technical aspects like unannounced audits & food fraud, guidance documents, and Scheme revisions. The Advisory Committee reports to the Board of Stakeholders.

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is a GFSI-recognized certification scheme for food safety management systems. It combines ISO 22000, Prerequisite Programs (PRPs), and FSSC Additional Requirements to ensure safe food production and supply.

Version 6, published in April 2023, introduced important updates focusing on:

  • Food safety culture
  • Equipment management
  • Quality control
  • Sustainability
  • Additional GFSI benchmarking requirements

It applies to:

  • Food manufacturing
  • Animal feed
  • Catering
  • Packaging
  • Storage and distribution
  • Retail
  • Transport

Requirements for FSSC 22000 v6 Third-Party Certification

FSSC 22000 consists of three core components:

1. ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

Covers the standard structure for FSMS including:

  • Context of the organization
  • Leadership and planning
  • Support and operations
  • Performance evaluation
  • Continual improvement

2. PRPs (Prerequisite Programs) – Sector Specific

Examples include:

  • ISO/TS 22002-1 for food manufacturing
  • ISO/TS 22002-4 for packaging
  • ISO/TS 22002-6 for retail
  • NEN/NTA 8059 for transport and storage
    These PRPs ensure hygiene, pest control, infrastructure, and operational conditions are met.

3. FSSC Additional Requirements

Version 6 includes new and existing requirements such as:

  • Food defense and food fraud mitigation
  • Management of allergens
  • Product labelling and customer focus
  • Equipment management (new in v6)
  • Food safety and quality culture (strengthened in v6)
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Quality control and assurance
  • Handling of withdrawal and recall procedures

Steps for Third-Party Certification

  1. Gap analysis (optional)
  2. Implement ISO 22000, PRPs, and additional FSSC requirements
  3. Internal audits and management review
  4. Select accredited certification body
  5. Stage 1 audit – Document and readiness review
  6. Stage 2 audit – Implementation and effectiveness assessment
  7. Certification decision by CB
  8. Annual surveillance audits
  9. Recertification every 3 years

Benefits of FSSC 22000 v6 Third-Party Certification

✅ GFSI Recognition

  • Accepted by major global food brands and retailers
  • Facilitates international trade and supplier approval

✅ Comprehensive Food Safety Assurance

  • Covers food safety risks across the supply chain
  • Incorporates ISO 22000 + PRPs + Additional Requirements

✅ Risk-Based Management System

  • Based on ISO structure and risk assessment principles (HACCP & ISO risk-based thinking)

✅ Continual Improvement and Compliance

  • Drives food safety culture and performance improvement
  • Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory food safety requirements

✅ Market Access and Competitive Advantage

  • Enhances brand credibility and stakeholder trust
  • Opens new markets and business opportunities

✅ Alignment with Other Management Systems

  • Easily integrated with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.

✅ Confidence for Stakeholders

  • Demonstrates transparent, certified food safety practices
  • Ensures product consistency and consumer protection