ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management System Certification

 

What is ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 is an internation standard that aims to control risks in the food processing industry. Building on the 9001 standard for quality management systems ISO 22000 sets out the requirements for a food safety management system maps out how an organization can demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards.

This standard can be utilised by any organization regardless of its size or position in the food chain.

Once certified, organisations can proudly promote themselves as certificate holders in any of their promotional materials and can include the URS certification logo free of charge.

 

Who requires an ISO 22000 certification?

Any organisation involved in the food chain, be it directly or indirectly; should consider becoming certified for ISO 22000. This includes organisations of any size that fit into the following sectors:

 

• Food manufacturers


• Distributors


• Retailers

How can a ISO 22000 certification benefit your business?

Becoming certified for ISO 22000 can bring a wide range of benefits to your organisation, including:

 

• Mitigating risks


• Enhancing customer confidence in your organisation


• Improving food safety

How can you prepare for ISO 22000 Certification?

Although the thought of starting the certification process may seem daunting, there are a variety of steps you can take to make the process to becoming certified far more streamlined:

 

• Familiarise yourself with the ISO 22000 standard


• Carry out a gap analysis against your current practices to highlight areas for improvement


• Implement a food safety management system (FSMS)


• Conduct regular internal audits to ensure your organisation complies with the standard

What are the key requirements ISO 22000?

When working towards becoming certified for ISO 22000, there are various areas that will be a focus during the audit. These areas include:

 

• Risk-based approach


• System management


• Application of principles


• Interactive communication

What clauses make up the structure of ISO 22000?

 

 

Clauses 1-3 – Introductory clauses:

The first three clauses on ISO 22000 serves as an introduction to the standard’s scope and requirements. Clause 3 in particular provides an extensive list of terms and definitions that feature throughout the standard and highlights the relevant clauses for each.

 

Clause 4 – Context of the organisation:

Clause 4 focuses on the purpose of the organisation, and works to identify issues that the implementation of an FSMS will help to negate. This section also covers the means of understanding the needs of interested parties and determining the scope of the FSMS.



Climate Change Amendments:

The amendments have not changed the requirements of clause 4.1 and 4.2, rather they have added an assurance that climate change is considered for the management system. Due to the necessity of climate awareness, it should be considered by organisations and is therefore included as part of the standard.

Rather than a transition being required, organisations should instead consider and apply the guidance provided in the amendment. Should a company minute their considerations during their Management Review regarding CCC as well as evidence of their considerations and any actions, a discrepancy shall NOT be raised. However, should no minute exist for any considerations, then a discrepancy will be raised.

Where a minute and evidence does exist but is clearly of little relevance to CCC an Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) will be raised.

 

Clause 5 – Leadership:

Clause 5 outlines the requirements set for top management and leadership that are involved in the lifecycle of the Food safety management system. This clause also provides guidance on creating food safety policies and assigning roles and responsibilities.

 

Clause 6 – Planning:

Clause 6 introduces additional requirements to the planning phase and draws attention to methods of addressing and mitigating risks, and the means of using planning to meet management system objectives that have been set.

 

Clause 7 – Support:

Clause 7 provides an extensive range of requirements relating to resources used for the implementation and maintenance of the FSMS. Along with requirements for competency, communication and the documentation of information.

 

Clause 8 – Operation:

Clause 8 focuses on the ability of the organisation to realise safe products through the implementation and maintenance of detailed processes. The process include prerequisite programmes, traceability systems and emergency preparedness procedures.

 

Clause 9 – Performance evaluation:

Clause 9 outlines the means of evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the FSMS. The processes mentioned in this section can be utilised to highlight areas for improvement that can be approached in the following clause.

 

Clause 10 – Improvement:

Clause 10 looks to utilise the feedback, reviews and audit results to improve elements of the FSMS and surrounding policies. In turn, this promotes a continuous improvement cycle which ensures that the organisation is consistently striving to meet the standard requirements.

 

How long will your ISO 22000 certificate be valid for?

Your ISO 22000 certificate will be valid for at least three years; dependent on the type of site that is being certified.

 

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