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FSSC 22000 Certification

Food safety with international recognition by GFSI.

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is an international certification recognized by GFSI – Global Food Safety Initiative –, based on the ISO 22000 standard, with additional control requirements. It is aimed at companies in the food production chain that seek to ensure the safety, integrity, and traceability of their products.

What is FSSC 22000?

TUV USA offers FSSC 22000 - Food Safety System Certification for producers of food and food packaging materials to help ensure the safety of the supply. This certification was developed by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification as an internationally uniform certification system for the food industry as a way to help create cross-border harmonisation of the food certification systems.

This standard is based on DIN EN ISO 22000 and the technical specifications for specific preventative programs for food safety. It is promoted by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries (CIAA) of the European Union and, unlike DIN EN ISO 22000, it is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

This standard is suitable for companies that produce, process, or package animal or vegetable products, or other food stuffs and additives. Prerequisites for this certification are the introduction of a quality management system for food safety and observance of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). With successful certification, these companies can provide objective evidence to their trading partners that they have implemented an audited management system for food safety.

Benefits of the FSSC 22000 certificate

  • Positioning your company as a manufacturer of high quality and safe food or food packaging materials.
  • Increased customer satisfaction and confidence
  • Reduction of risks in the area of product liability
  • Implementation of continuous monitoring of compliance with health and safety regulations
  • Integration with other ISO-based management systems possible
  • Internationally recognised

Version 6: What is new?

Version 6 sets higher requirements for the management of resource efficiency and sustainability for companies that are certified according to FSSC 22000 or are seeking this certification.

Reasons for the revision of FSSC 22000:

  • Incorporation of the requirements of ISO 22003-1:2022,
  • Strengthening the requirements in the area of sustainability to support organisations in achieving the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Editorial changes and additions as part of continuous improvement.
  • These changes help to make the certification even more understandable and practical.
  • FSSC 22000 version 6 was published in April 2023 and is mandatory for all companies from 01 April 2024 - there is a transition period until 31 March 2025, during which time all companies already certified must convert their FSSC 22000 certificates from version 5.1 to 6.

The new requirements relate to the following parts of the standard:

  • Use of recycled packaging as raw material (category I)
  • Control of special claims on product labels or packaging
  • Artwork management and print control (Category I)
  • Requirements for suppliers to protect against food fraud (Category FII)
  • Cleaning of transport tankers
  • Management of foreign bodies
  • Ongoing verification of minimum shelf life
  • Validation of cooking instructions for "ready-to-cook" products
  • More detailed requirements regarding the use of logos, allergen management and environmental monitoring
  • Requirements related to food safety and quality culture, quality control, equipment management ("hygienic design"), food losses and waste, and communication requirements (company to certification body)

TUV USA works with qualified, impartial auditors who have in-depth knowledge of the food sector. It offers comprehensive technical support, rigorous assessments, and a focus on continuous process improvement. Its unique selling point is its commitment to excellence, credibility, and international reliability.