ISO 22000

About the ISO 22000 Standard

ISO 22000 is the international standard for food safety management systems (FSMS). It was developed to ensure, in partnership with consumers and suppliers, that the global food chain is safe at all stages of production, distribution, and consumption. ISO 22000 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO is a worldwide organization, comprised of member bodies from over 160 countries. The purpose of ISO is to develop and publish international standards which focus on the needs of the industry to better serve customers and improve productivity.

Current Version of ISO 22000

The most updated form of the standard is ISO 22000:2018. The ISO 22000 standard is constantly revised by ISO to keep up with industry trends, new methods of governing food safety, and to adjust for changing global economic conditions.

ISO 22000 Certification – What is it?

ISO 22000 Certification is the confirmation that a company has successfully implemented an FSMS, and it has maintained compliance with the ISO 22000 standard. The certification confirms that food products produced or processed by certified companies are safe at all stages of production and distribution. Organizations can apply for ISO 22000 through a certification body such as IAS.

Importance of ISO 22000 Certification

ISO 22000 certification provides assurance that food safety management processes are being effectively implemented and maintained. Certified organizations have control systems to ensure proper handling, storage, packing, transportation, and marketing of food products so as to avoid the risks associated with factors such as contamination or spoilage.

Which Organizations Can Implement ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 certification is beneficial for any business within the food industry. The standard targets all organizations involved in either primary production, processing, storage, transport, distribution, or sales of food products to consumers. Consumers are protected against improper handling at all levels of the supply chain while increased efficiency and productivity allow businesses to thrive.

Benefits of Implementing ISO 22000

ISO 22000 certification is a highly beneficial management tool, providing benefits for all organizations within the food industry. These advantages include:

• Improved customer satisfaction
• Increased global market access
• Reductions in food safety costs and expenditures
• Reduced risk of liability claims from consumers or governmental agencies
• Enhanced supply chain collaboration and information sharing
• Enhanced market reputation
• Improved consumer confidence in the food industry

How to Implement ISO 22000

ISO 22000 is a management system standard. It can be implemented through internal or external resources but does require work on the part of the organization. Organizations should review their current policies and procedures for any FSMS compliance, and then work to integrate the standards laid out in ISO 22000. This can be done with internal resources, or by reaching out to ISO 22000 consultants. Your organization must do the following activities before applying for ISO Certification:

1. Conduct a gap analysis to determine where your organization currently is in terms of FSMS compliance.
2. Adopt an industry-wide approach to food safety, ensuring that all employees are trained and dedicated to the process.
3. Integrate food safety requirements into supplier contracts so as to initiate best practices throughout the supply chain.
4. Conduct internal audits at least once per year to make sure there are no deviations from the ISO 22000 requirements.
5. Document all procedures and processes to make it easier for external auditors to audit your FSMS.
6. Apply for certification through a local or international certification body.

How to Choose a Certification Body for ISO 22000 Certification

If your organization is ready to move forward with ISO 22000 certification, you must choose a certification body. There are certifications bodies that specialize in certifying food manufacturing and distribution businesses for compliance with the ISO 22000 standard. You should take into account several factors when choosing a certification body:

• Visit the website of potential certification bodies to determine if they are qualified.
• Check to see if they are accredited. Accredited certification bodies are more credible and follow internationally-recognized guidelines before issuing certificates.
• Determine how much experience in certifying companies in your industry that the certification body has.
• Find out if the certification body provides ISO 22000 training programs for auditors and managers.
• Contact your preferred certification bodies for information regarding fees, timelines, and the scope of their accreditation.

ISO 22000 Certification Process – What to Expect?

Once you hire a certification body, the ISO 22000 certification process begins. The certification body will conduct a series of external audits to confirm that your FSMS meets ISO 22000 requirements. Therefore, it is important to have all of your documents up-to-date and available for the auditor to review. Typically, 2 external audits will be conducted by the certification body:

1. Stage 1 Preliminary Audit: The first audit will consist of an on-site review of your documents and procedures. The auditor will create a preliminary audit report that offers recommendations for improvement.
2. Stage 2 Final Audit: A final on-site review will be conducted by the certification body, confirming that you have implemented all recommendations from the Stage 1 Preliminary Audit Report. At this point, if there are no deviations, the auditor will give approval to the certification body to issue an ISO 22000 certificate to your organization.

IAS – Egypt’s Most Trusted ISO 22000 Certification Body

IAS is an ISO 22000 certification authority that provides a variety of certification services as well as ISO training. IAS, which was founded in 2006, has more than 13 years of expertise in auditing and awarding management systems and product certifications. To conduct the audit and assist firms in achieving ISO 22000 certification, IAS has IRCA qualified, professionally experienced, real-time lead auditors.

What are you waiting for? Get ISO 22000 certified today! Our professional coordinators can provide you with a free consultation.

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