Certification of Food Safety Systems: FSSC 22000

DEMONSTRATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO FOOD SAFETY

Due to growing consumer demand and pressure, all participants in the supply chain are required to demonstrate compliance with recognised food safety standards. FSSC 22000 represents a complete certification scheme for Food Safety Management Systems, based on the international ISO 22000 standard and technical specifications for prerequisite programmes (PRPs).

WHAT IS FSSC 22000?

FSSC 22000 is a food supply chain certification scheme owned by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification. It includes the following requirements:

• a Food Safety Management System in accordance with ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22003

• Technical specifications for sector-specific prerequisite programmes (PRPs);

• And additional scheme requirements.

DOES FSSC 22000 APPLY TO ALL "PARTICIPANTS" IN THE FOOD CHAIN?

FSSC 22000 continues to expand its scope and introduce new required programmes. The scheme applies to food and feed manufacturing and packaging companies, as well as other participants in the food chain that fall under sector-specific technical specifications, including catering, retail, transport and storage, and quality.

WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER GFSI SCHEMES?

Other standards may take different approaches to ensuring food safety. FSSC 22000 is based on the international  ISO 22000 family of standards and provides a systematic management protocol for prerequisite programmes (PRPs), with controls focused on what is actually necessary; it gives other stakeholders confidence in an organisation's ability to identify and control food safety hazards; and it offers flexibility to accommodate specific and diverse customer requirements.

IF I AM ALREADY CERTIFIED TO OTHER STANDARDS, WHAT STEPS ARE NEEDED TO MEET FSSC 22000 REQUIREMENTS?

If your company is already certified to another GFSI standard, you will need top management commitment, a documented HACCP analysis, and a review of your internal and external communication systems. If your organisation is already certified to  ISO 22000, we can help you transition to FSSC 22000 by implementing only the prerequisite programmes in accordance with PAS and the scheme's additional requirements.

DO INTERNAL AUDITORS NEED TO BE TRAINED ON THE FSSC 22000 SCHEME?

The FSSC 22000 scheme requires that internal audits be conducted by competent auditors. Bureau Veritas offers a 3–5 day CQI-IRCA training course: PR 360 – FSSC 22000, Version 5, Lead Auditor (based on ISO 22000:2018), which can also be delivered at your premises.

KEY BENEFITS

	An international food safety assurance scheme		Allows you to focus on your core business objectives
	Strengthens a proactive approach to food safety		Based on recognised international standards
	Benchmarking and GFSI* recognition (manufacturing)		Uses a process-based approach
	Effectively controls internal processes, minimises food safety risks, and increases consumer confidence in food products

OUR CERTIFICATION PROCESS

• Defining the certification scope
• Pre-audit (optional): gap analysis and diagnostic review of your current position against the standard

The certification audit is conducted in 2 stages:

Stage 1 – Documentation review and readiness assessment for certification

Stage 2 - Assessment of implementation, including the effectiveness of the organisation's management system

• The FSSC 22000 certificate is valid for three years, but certified companies must undergo an annual surveillance audit to maintain certification
• Surveillance audits verify that the management system continues to meet the standard's requirements and track ongoing improvement
• Recertification after 3 years to confirm ongoing compliance and the overall effectiveness of the management system

WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS SERVICES?

	FOOD EXPERTISE Bureau Veritas can help every participant in the food supply chain meet the highest standards of quality, health and safety, and environmental compliance. Our auditors and inspectors specialise in specific sectors, enabling them to assess your processes and deliver high-quality services.
	RECOGNITION Bureau Veritas Certification has signed an agreement with FSSC and is currently one of its associated certification bodies. In addition, Bureau Veritas Certification is a member of the ISO TC34/SC17 technical committee (Food Safety Management Systems) and was the first international certification body in the world to be accredited for ISO 22000. Bureau Veritas Certification holds global UKAS accreditation to provide FSSC 22000 certification worldwide.
	MARK OF GLOBAL RECOGNITION / GLOBAL NETWORK OF OFFICES We operate in more than 100 countries. This global presence means our clients gain the dual advantage of international expertise combined with genuine local knowledge depth (language, culture, laws, customs, etc.), ensuring high-quality audits.
	GLOBAL NETWORK OF OFFICES We operate in more than 100 countries. This global presence means our clients can benefit from the dual advantage of international expertise combined with genuine local knowledge depth (language, culture, laws, customs, etc.), ensuring high-quality audits.

GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE (GFSI) CERTIFICATION

The world's largest food retailers increasingly require certification to GFSI-recognised standards. Ensure compliance and expand your market access with Bureau Veritas's suite of GFSI certification services..

Ensure compliance and expand your market access with Bureau Veritas's suite of GFSI certification services.

The complexity and global nature of food supply chains make ensuring food safety and quality more challenging than ever. To address these issues, more and more retailers require compliance with GFSI-recognised food safety standards. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a non-profit association of industry experts aimed at improving food safety across the entire value chain. GFSI benchmarks a range of food safety standards covering agriculture, packaging, storage, and distribution.

Bureau Veritas offers certification and audit services for a wide range of GFSI-recognised standards. Certification to these standards demonstrates to retailers and consumers your organisation's commitment to best practices in food safety management, expands your access to international markets, and enables better management of food safety risks.

KEY BENEFITS

BRCGS AND IFS: ENSURING SAFETY AND QUALITY

The Global Standard (BRCGS) and the International Featured Standards (IFS) are industry trade groups that have developed food safety and quality standards to protect brand reputation. Many retailers in EU countries require their suppliers to hold BRCGS and IFS certificates. Certification to these standards will help you access international markets, improve your relationships with distributors, and reduce food safety risks. Bureau Veritas is accredited to provide certification against a wide range of BRCGS and IFS standards, including the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, the BRCGS Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, and the BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution, as well as the IFS Food and IFS Logistics standards.

GLOBALG.A.P. AND BAP: RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE CERTIFICATIONS

Demonstrate that your farming and aquaculture practices meet the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility with Bureau Veritas's GLOBALG.A.P. and BAP certification. GLOBALG.A.P. is an internationally recognised set of food safety and quality standards covering both agriculture and aquaculture. GLOBALG.A.P. certification demonstrates compliance with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP): food safety, sustainability, and worker and animal welfare. BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) is the only certification scheme covering the entire aquaculture value chain, from hatcheries and feed mills to farms and processing plants. BAP certification demonstrates a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

SQF

The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Programme is a GFSI-recognised food safety and quality certification scheme based on HACCP principles. SQF covers all areas of the food value chain, from primary production and manufacturing through to transport and distribution. Bureau Veritas's global network of auditors can confirm that your processes meet SQF's rigorous food safety and ethical standards.

GFSI GLOBAL MARKETS PROGRAMME

The Global Food Safety Initiative's Global Markets Programme is a voluntary programme that supports small food businesses in developing an effective food safety management system. Its four-step approach, involving a series of assessments, sets organisations on the path toward GFSI-accredited food safety certification. Bureau Veritas is a fully accredited provider of Global Markets Programme assessments.