How to get ISO 22000 certification

 ISO 22000 is an international standard for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It provides a framework for ensuring the safety of food products throughout the entire food supply chain. To obtain ISO 22000 certification, follow these steps:

 

Understand ISO 22000: Familiarize yourself with the ISO 22000 standard and its requirements. You can purchase a copy of the standard or access it through your local standards organization.

 

Determine Applicability: Confirm that ISO 22000 is applicable to your organization. This standard is intended for any organization in the food industry, including food producers, processors, distributors, and retailers.

 

Appoint a Project Manager: Designate a project manager or a team responsible for overseeing the certification process. This person or team will coordinate all activities related to ISO 22000 implementation.

 

Conduct a Gap Analysis: Assess your organization's existing food safety processes and procedures to identify areas where they do not meet ISO 22000 requirements. This gap analysis will help you determine what changes are necessary.

 

Develop a Food Safety Management System (FSMS):

 

Create and document an FSMS that aligns with ISO 22000 requirements. This involves defining your organization's food safety policy, objectives, processes, and procedures. Ensure that all employees are aware of and trained in these processes.

Implement the FSMS: Roll out the FSMS across your organization. This may involve process changes, training, and communication to ensure everyone understands and follows the new system.

 

Prerequisite Programs: Implement prerequisite programs (PRPs) that support food safety, such as sanitation, pest control, and employee hygiene.

 

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): Integrate HACCP principles into your FSMS to identify, evaluate, and control food safety hazards.

 

Internal Audits: Conduct internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of your FSMS. Identify and rectify any non-conformities or areas for improvement.

 

Management Review: Hold regular management review meetings to assess the performance of your FSMS and make necessary improvements.

 

Select a Certification Body: Choose an accredited certification body or registrar that is qualified to perform ISO 22000 certification audits.

 

Stage 1 Audit (Documentation Review): The certification body will review your documentation and FSMS to ensure it meets ISO 22000 requirements. Any issues identified will need to be addressed before moving on to the next stage.

 

Stage 2 Audit (On-Site Audit): The certification body will visit your organization to conduct an on-site audit. They will verify that your FSMS is effectively implemented and that it meets ISO 22000 requirements.

 

Corrective Actions: Address any non-conformities or findings raised during the Stage 2 audit.

 

Certification: If your organization successfully passes the Stage 2 audit, the certification body will issue an ISO 22000 certificate, indicating your compliance with the standard.

 

Continuous Improvement: Continuously monitor and improve your FSMS. Conduct regular internal audits and management reviews to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement.

 

ISO 22000 certification is not a one-time effort; it requires ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving your food safety management system. Certification must also be renewed periodically through surveillance audits by the certification body.