FS 22000, also known as FSSC 22000, is specifically targeted at food manufacturers. This certification scheme helps secure food safety standards within the production process of the supply chain.
ISO 22000 harmonises the food safety management systems based on the HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) principles. The general nature of HACCP limits its suitability for retailers to guarantee their own supply chain, needing more specific and detailed pre-requisite programs specifically related to food manufacturing. The new FS 22000 certification scheme accommodates this need, combining the management system approach, HACCP methodology and detailed guidelines regarding pre-requisite programmes.
What is the FS 22000 certification scheme
FS 22000:2010 is a new food safety certification scheme based on the existing internationally recognised standard ISO 22000, the ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 (or the equivalent PAS 220) and ISO/TS 22003: It specifically targets the food manufacturing sector, and takes into consideration the Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) gap analysis.
The FS scheme, managed by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification based in the Netherlands, was released on 15 May, 2009 and then benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) against the requirements laid out in the GFSI Guidance Document Version 5. The current version was released in January 2010.
How can FS 22000 improve your business?
FS 22000 combines three main characteristics:
- A powerful management system framework, fully integrated in the company’s overall management system and consistent with other standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
- A robust Hazard Analysis and Risk Management methodology based on HACCP principles and ability to improve food safety effectiveness and efficiency
- The use of the PAS 220 guideline, concerning the pre-requisite programmes, as requested by ISO 22000 § 7.2 and fitting the retailers needs for the due diligence and related issues.
Other benefits to be highlighted include:
- Independence, the standard being owned by a non profit foundation
- Multiple stakeholder approach in development and governance of the standard
- International and ISO worldwide credibility, built over GFSI approval
- Common language through global standards, ensuring worldwide consistency in implementation and allowing for benchmarking
Manufacturers already certified against ISO 22000 will only need a validation of ISO 22000 certification and an additional review against the PAS 220 or ISO/TS 22002-1 (see below) to meet the FS 22000 certification scheme.
Features of FS 22000
FS 22000:2010 is based on ISO 22000, PAS 220 (ISO/TS 22002-1) and ISO/TS 22003. Certification according to this scheme will be accredited under the standard ISO 17021 management system certification.
The distinctive item of this certification scheme is the use of the Publicly Available Specification PAS 220, which has been developed to specify requirements for prerequisite programs to assist in controlling food safety standards within the manufacturing processes of the food supply chain. ISO TS 22002-1:2009 is based on PAS 220, and can be equally used.
PAS 220 was published on October 2008 by British Standards Institution (BSI) and sponsored by Danone, Kraft, Nestlè, Unilever and Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA).
PAS 220, as well as ISO/TS 22002-1, complements ISO 22000 and provides a common set of 18 pre-requisite programmes for use by food manufacturers:
- Construction and layout of buildings;
- Layout of premises and workspace;
- Utilities – air, water, energy;
- Waste disposal;
- Equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance;
- Management of purchased materials;
- Measures for prevention of cross contamination;
- Cleaning and sanitising;
- Pest control;
- Personnel hygiene and employee facilities;
- Rework;
- Product recall procedures;
- Warehousing; ¨
- Product information/consumer awareness;
- Food defence, bio vigilance and bioterrorism
Bringing ISO 22000 and PAS 220 together resulted in the new FS 22000 food safety management system certification scheme, with the Foundation for Food Safety (SCV) taking the ownership of the scheme and submitting it to GFSI for approval. FS 22000 is the first food safety certification scheme that is fully consistent with all relevant ISO standards.
How can I prepare for certification?
The process described in FS 22000 includes the following steps:
- Identify, evaluate, and control the food safety hazards that may be expected to occur in order to avoid harming the consumer directly or indirectly
- Communicate appropriate information through the food chain regarding safety issues related to the product
- Communicate information concerning development, implementation, and updating of the food safety management system throughout the organisation
- Evaluate periodically and update, when necessary, the food safety management system to cover the company’s actual activities and the most recent information on food safety hazards
Development, implementation, and certification of a food safety management system is a continuous journey, with the independent audit representing one element of the total assessment process.
Getting started with FS 22000 certification
DNV Business Assurance can:
- Provide training on FS 22000, ISO 22000 and PAS 220 – ISO TS 22002-1
- Perform gap-analysis, to help you understand your best route to certification
- Perform certification activities according to FS 22000:2010