How to Get ISO 22000 Certification in USA

Obtaining ISO 22000 certification in the USA involves several steps that need to be carefully followed. ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management systems that ensures the safety and quality of food throughout the food supply chain. Here's a general outline of the process:

 

Familiarize Yourself with ISO 22000: Begin by understanding the requirements and principles of ISO 22000. Obtain a copy of the standard and study its provisions to know what is expected of your food safety management system.

 

Conduct a Gap Analysis: Evaluate your existing food safety management system against the requirements of ISO 22000. Identify the gaps that need to be addressed to meet the standard's criteria.

 

Develop an Implementation Plan: Create a detailed plan outlining the steps required to implement ISO 22000 in your organization. Assign responsibilities to team members and set deadlines for completion.

 

Establish a Food Safety Management System: Implement the necessary changes and improvements to your existing system based on the findings from the gap analysis. This may involve the development of new procedures, documentation, and processes.

 

Training and Awareness: Ensure that all employees and stakeholders are trained and aware of the new requirements and changes related to ISO 22000. Proper training is essential for effective implementation.

 

Internal Audit: Conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness and compliance of your food safety management system with ISO 22000. Identify areas for improvement and take corrective actions as needed.

 

Management Review: Hold a management review meeting to evaluate the performance of the food safety management system and determine its readiness for certification.

 

Select a Certification Body: Choose a reputable certification body accredited to perform ISO 22000 audits. The certification body will assess your food safety management system's conformity to the standard.

 

Stage 1 Audit: The certification body will conduct a Stage 1 audit, which involves a review of your documentation and readiness for the certification audit.

 

Stage 2 Audit (Certification Audit): The certification body will perform the Stage 2 audit, where they will verify the implementation and effectiveness of your food safety management system. If all requirements are met, the certification body will recommend your organization for ISO 22000 certification.

 

Certification: Upon successful completion of the certification audit, the certification body will issue an ISO 22000 certificate, demonstrating your organization's compliance with the standard.

 

Surveillance Audits: After certification, the certification body will conduct periodic surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 22000 requirements.

 

It's important to note that the ISO 22000 certification process can vary slightly depending on the certification body you choose. Therefore, it's advisable to contact the certification body directly and seek their specific guidance for obtaining ISO 22000 certification in the USA.