FSSC 22000: Food Safety Certification

• Obtain the standard:

Get a licensed copy of the relevant standard and familiarize yourself with the requirements to decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization.

• Review available literature and apply digital tools

Explore available literature, guidelines from the standard owners (e.g. ISO/TS 9002 for ISO 9001, ISO 14004 for ISO 14001)   and digital sources and tools that can assist with implementation. Note that as a DNV customer you get access to tailored tools that can assist you.

• Assemble a team and define strategy:

To implement a management system should be a strategic decision for the entire organization. Senior management must be involved in the decision, committed and involved in shaping the system. They decide the business strategy the management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system.

• Determine competence needs:

First, your team implementing and maintaining the management system needs a thorough understanding of the chosen standards. Later on, the wider organization needs awareness training. DNV offers a variety of public and in-house courses worldwide that meets your competence training needs at all levels within your organization.

• Review consultant options:

Independent consultants can advise on a workable, realistic, and cost-effective strategy plan for implementation if you do not have this competence or capacity already.

• Develop management system documentation: 

Decide on an appropriate platform for your documented information (e.g. software, process map- or SharePoint-based). The right platform is important to ensure effective management, communication and implementation.

• Determine, manage and document processes:

First identify key processes – what they are, how they work, and how they interact. Each process should have a clear purpose, defined responsibilities, and expected outputs. The level of documented information needed depends on the organization’s size, complexity, and the importance of each process, but must include relevant processes and other documented information needed to deliver on intended outcomes and comply with the chosen standard’s requirements.

• Implement management system:

Clear communication and necessary competence training are essential elements. During the implementation phase, you will work to ensure that your organization is working according to defined and documented processes. Once successful, you can prove system’s compliance and effectiveness.

• Select a certification body/registrar:

Selecting the right certification body/registrar can make a difference throughout your certification journey. DNV offers a trusted partnership approach, a risk-based approach and range of free digital tools that help you manage your certification journey before, during and after the audit.

• Consider a pre-audit gap analysis:

Consider a preliminary evaluation by your certification body/registrar to identify and correct nonconformities before starting the official certification process. The purpose is to identify areas of non-conformance or weaknesses, allowing you to correct these before you begin the official certification process.

FSSC 22000 is an internationally recognized food safety management system scheme used across the food and beverage supply chain. It provides a comprehensive framework to manage food safety and quality risks, comply with regulations and meet customer demands.  FSSC 22000 is applicable to organizations across the food supply chain, including food and feed manufacturing, packaging production, storage and transport, catering, retail and wholesale.

FSSC 22000 certification is a verification by an independent third party like DNV that an organization’s food safety management system meets the requirements set forth in the FSSC 22000 scheme. Achieving certification demonstrates that a company has robust processes in place to control food safety hazards, prevent contamination and ensure food safety. It also supports market access where certification to a GFSI recognized scheme is required.

The name of the scheme - FSSC 22000 – stands for Food Safety System Certification and reflects the foundation and owner of the standard. The purpose of FSSC 22000 is to provide a complete, internationally accepted food safety management system certification for organizations across the food supply chain.

A food safety management system is essential because it provides a structured and proactive approach to identifying, controlling and reducing food safety hazards across the food and beverage supply chain. An effective FSMS helps an organization prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses. A well-implemented FSMS strengthens traceability, incident response and recall readiness, which are critical to safeguard consumers, brand and reputation.  It also supports compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.