What is the difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000?
The difference lies in the scope: ISO 22000 is a stand-alone standard for a food safety management system, while FSSC 22000 includes ISO 22000 and adds to it a technical specification for prerequisite programmes and additional scheme requirements.
ISO 22000:2018 follows the common structure of ISO management system standards and combines the systems approach with the HACCP principles. FSSC 22000 is managed by the FSSC Foundation and is recognized by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) — the international initiative that brings together retail chains, manufacturers and service providers in the food sector.
ISO 22000
- International ISO standard
- Requirements for the management system and a HACCP plan
- Prerequisite programmes are determined by the organization
- Suitable for all organizations in the food chain
FSSC 22000
- Certification scheme of the FSSC Foundation
- ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002 for the relevant sector + additional requirements
- GFSI-recognized
- Often required by retail chains and international buyers
What is FSSC 22000 made up of?
FSSC 22000 consists of three parts, which together make up the requirements of the scheme.
| Part | What it contains |
|---|---|
| ISO 22000:2018 | The requirements for the food safety management system |
| Technical specification for prerequisite programmes | The ISO/TS 22002 series for the relevant sector — e.g. ISO/TS 22002-1 for food manufacturing |
| Additional FSSC requirements | Scheme requirements — e.g. on food fraud, food defence and allergen management |
To see what is new in the latest version of the scheme, read the article FSSC 22000 Version 7 has been published.
What do the two systems have in common?
What they have in common is that both ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 build a preventive system: hazards are identified and controlled before they reach the consumer.
- 1Hazard analysis
Biological, chemical and physical hazards are identified for each product and process.
- 2Prerequisite programmes
Basic hygiene conditions are ensured — cleaning, pest control, maintenance, personal hygiene of staff.
- 3Critical control points
The points at which a hazard must be controlled, and their critical limits, are determined.
- 4Monitoring and corrective actions
Control measures are monitored, and corrective actions are taken when a deviation occurs.
- 5Verification and improvement
The system is verified, documented and continually improved.
A certified system also demonstrates to the control authorities, such as the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA), that production complies with Bulgarian and European food safety legislation.
Which sectors are ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 suitable for?
ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 cover the entire journey of food — from field and farm to fork — whether it is a family business or a large enterprise.
- Food and beverage manufacturersMeat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, bread, confectionery, canned food and beverages.
- Processors and packersSorting, cleaning, grading and packing of intermediate and finished products.
- Distribution, warehousing and logisticsStorage and transport of food, including refrigerated transport and temperature-controlled warehouses.
- Packaging manufacturersFilms, plastic packaging, cardboard, glass and metal for direct food contact.
- Auxiliary materials and biochemicalsAdditives, vitamins, preservatives, and cleaning and disinfection products for the food sector.
- Catering, retail and food serviceHotels, restaurants, central kitchens, food delivery and retail chains with private labels.
Which certificate should you choose?
The choice depends mainly on the requirements of your clients and markets.
It is suitable for organizations whose clients do not require a GFSI-recognized certificate, and for those that want a flexible framework for the entire food chain.
It is suitable when you supply retail chains, multinational companies or international markets that require a GFSI-recognized scheme.
With both systems, the benefits include protection against costly incidents and product recalls, easier official inspections, an advantage in tenders and better control over suppliers. For a detailed look at the reasons to choose FSSC 22000, see the article Why an FSSC 22000 certificate is needed.
Questions about ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000
What is the main difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000?
FSSC 22000 incorporates ISO 22000 in full and adds a technical specification for prerequisite programmes and additional scheme requirements. FSSC 22000 is recognized by GFSI.
Are ISO 22000 and HACCP related?
Yes. ISO 22000 incorporates the HACCP principles and places them within the framework of a complete management system.
Which organizations can be certified?
All organizations in the food chain — manufacturers, processors, warehousing and logistics, packaging manufacturers, catering and retail.
Who issues the certificates?
The certificates are issued by CERTIND S.A., whose exclusive representative in Bulgaria is Euro Standard Certification. CERTIND is accredited by RENAR for ISO 22000 and is licensed for FSSC 22000. See Accreditation.