ISO 22000 Certification

Achieve greater food safety with ISO 22000 certification.

The international standard ISO 22000 specifies requirements for food safety management systems. Through certification, manufacturers, distributors, and catering businesses demonstrate compliance with the highest standards of hygiene and safety.

More food safety along the entire food chain

Greater trust of customers and end users in the products and processes

Ensures high standards of product safety

Increased customer satisfaction for stronger customer loyalty

The ISO 22000 certificate for safe food

Food safety is fundamental to consumer health. Hygiene and safety deficiencies in the food chain can have life-threatening consequences. In addition, spoiled food causes high economic losses every year. With the ISO 22000 standard, traders and manufacturers ensure high safety and quality in their production and distribution processes for feed and food. ISO 9001, Annex to CAC/RCP 1-1969 (Rev. 4 - 2003), EU Guidance 2016/C 278/01, ISO/TS 22002-1/-2/-4/-5 (Prerequisite Programmes on Food Safety - Food Manufacturing/Catering/Food Packaging Manufacturing/Transport and storage), IFS Standards, BRCGS Standards

The ISO 22000 standard creates a transparent and internationally recognized standard for all players within the food chain. ISO 22000 aims to guarantee safe products for consumers while increasing customer satisfaction.

The standard combines key elements of food safety. These include transparent communication, traceable processes, and HACCP principles. In addition, so-called preventive programs (pre-requisite programs = PRP) are applied. The standardization of the entire process from producer to consumer is intended to ensure that producers as well as retailers can react quickly in the event of possible health hazards, and find the error in the chain. Organizations that have already been certified to ISO 22000 may additionally benefit from an FSSC 22000 audit.

ISO 22000 was last revised in June 2018. It replaced ISO 22000:2015. The revision introduced the more modern high-level structure (HLS), making it easier to integrate ISO 22000 certification into an existing management system. As of June 29, 2021, companies can only be certified to the latest ISO 22000:2018 standard.

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The four core areas of the ISO 22000 food safety standard.

ISO 22000 for food safety includes four core areas. These include implementing effective PRPs (Prerequisite Programs), establishing and maintaining the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), organizing internal and external communications, and complying with HACCP requirements.

If companies have already implemented a Food Safety Management System, the ISO 22000 certification ensures its structured continuation and completion. Since the ISO 22000 food safety standard already meets the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) requirements, companies do not need to have their HACCP concept certified separately.

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Who is ISO 22000 certification suitable for?

The international standard ISO 22000 is intended for all companies that have a direct or indirect connection with food. The size of the company does not play a decisive role. Accordingly, ISO 22000 certification is suitable for small as well as medium and large businesses and organizations.

The ISO 22000 certificate is suitable for the following companies:

Food manufacturers
Manufacturers of additives
Logistics companies (storage & transport)
Food packaging companies
Retail, wholesale and intermediate trade
Catering companies
Restaurants
Commercial kitchens

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Differences between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000

ISO 22000 certification provides high standards for food safety management systems. FSSC 22000 builds on ISO 22000 and is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Companies that are already certified to ISO 22000 will benefit when they certify to FSSC 22000, because it usually requires only an extension audit rather than a full certification process.

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What is the process of ISO 22000 certification?

In the first step, we discuss the goals of your ISO 22000 certification and exchange information about your company. Based on these discussions, you will receive an individual offer tailored to the needs of your company or organization.

In the third step, your system is analyzed and evaluated. This is how we determine whether your management system can be certified. An auditor will check on site whether your management processes are functioning as required in accordance with the standard.

After the audit, the results are evaluated by the independent certification board of DQS. If your food safety management system meets all requirements, you will receive the ISO 22000 certificate.

Every six months or every year, the central components of the system are re-audited on site to further improve the system. The certificate must be renewed after three years at the latest. At that time, you may have a recertification carried out.

What does ISO 22000 certification cost?

The costs for ISO 22000 certification depend, among other things, on the effort required. For example, it plays a role whether a certified management system such as ISO 9001 is already in use. In addition, factors such as the size of the company or the complexity of your organization also determine the cost of the certification process.

In order to be able to realistically estimate the duration of the audit and the associated requirements, it is best to contact us. We will provide you with an offer tailored to your organization, which will allow you to budget for the specific costs of ISO 22000 certification.

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