FSSC 22000 Accreditation & Approval

Overview

FSSC Foundation administers the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 Scheme, a globally recognized food safety certification programme based on ISO standards and sector-specific prerequisite programme (PRP) requirements. Accreditation and approval within the FSSC 22000 framework provide confidence that certification activities are conducted in accordance with internationally accepted requirements for food safety management systems.

Accredited FSSC 22000 certification demonstrates that certification processes are carried out with competence, impartiality, consistency, and integrity.

Purpose of FSSC 22000 Accreditation & Approval

The purpose of FSSC 22000 accreditation and approval is to:

  • Ensure competence in certification activities
  • Promote confidence in food safety certification
  • Support consistency in certification decisions
  • Verify compliance with applicable scheme requirements
  • Enhance transparency and credibility
  • Strengthen stakeholder confidence
  • Support global recognition of certified organizations
  • Promote continual improvement in food safety management systems

Scope of FSSC 22000

FSSC 22000 is applicable to a wide range of sectors within the food supply chain, including:

  • Food Manufacturing
  • Food Ingredient Production
  • Packaging Material Manufacturing
  • Animal Feed Production
  • Storage and Distribution Services
  • Catering Services
  • Retail and Wholesale Operations
  • Food Processing Facilities
  • Transportation and Logistics Services

The scope of certification is determined according to the applicable FSSC 22000 scheme requirements and food chain categories.

Scheme Requirements

FSSC 22000 certification is based on:

Food Safety Management System

Implementation of a food safety management system based on ISO 22000 requirements.

Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs)

Application of sector-specific prerequisite programmes relevant to the organization’s activities.

Additional FSSC Requirements

Compliance with additional scheme requirements established by the FSSC Foundation.

Food Safety Hazard Management

Identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards throughout the food chain.

Performance and Continual Improvement

Monitoring and improvement of food safety management system performance.

Accreditation & Approval Process

1. Application Review

Relevant information regarding certification activities, management systems, and operational processes is reviewed.

2. Documentation Assessment

Policies, procedures, records, and certification system documentation are evaluated.

3. Witness and Office Assessments

Certification activities, competence management, and operational controls are assessed against applicable accreditation and scheme requirements.

4. Evaluation of Findings

Assessment findings are reviewed and any identified issues are addressed.

5. Accreditation and Approval Decision

Upon successful completion of the evaluation process, accreditation and approval may be granted within the defined scope.

6. Surveillance Activities

Periodic assessments are conducted to verify continued compliance with accreditation and scheme requirements.

7. Reassessment

Organizations undergo reassessment at defined intervals to maintain accreditation and approval status.

Benefits of FSSC 22000 Accreditation & Approval

  • Independent recognition of certification competence
  • Enhanced confidence in certification activities
  • Global recognition of accredited certification services
  • Improved consistency and impartiality
  • Strengthened credibility and stakeholder trust
  • Support for internationally recognized food safety certification
  • Verification of compliance with scheme requirements
  • Continuous oversight and monitoring of certification performance

Industries Served

FSSC 22000 accredited certification activities support:

  • Food Manufacturers
  • Beverage Producers
  • Ingredient Suppliers
  • Packaging Manufacturers
  • Animal Feed Producers
  • Storage and Distribution Providers
  • Catering Organizations
  • Retail Food Businesses
  • Logistics Service Providers
  • Other Food Chain Organizations

Maintaining Accreditation & Approval

Accredited and approved activities are subject to ongoing surveillance and periodic reassessment to ensure continued compliance with applicable accreditation and FSSC 22000 scheme requirements. Regular evaluations help maintain competence, impartiality, and consistency in food safety certification activities.