How to Obtain FSSC 22000 Certification in 12 Easy Steps

How to Obtain FSSC 22000 Certification in 12 Easy Steps 

FSSC 22000 is a Food Safety Management Certification Scheme, managed by Foundation FSSC 22000 and governed by an independent Board of Stakeholders which consists of representatives from several sectors in the food industry. Risks related to food safety are managed using FSSC 22000. To handle food safety hazards and supply safe products for use by businesses in the food sector, the Food Safety Certification standards offer a stringent framework.

The FSSC 22000 System was created to offer businesses in the food industry a Global Food Safety Initiative-recognized accreditation for their food safety management system. Food manufacturers and retailers all over the world accept products with the FSSC 22000 accreditation. FSSC 22000 defines requirements for integrated processes that work together to control and minimize food safety hazards. To, obtain the FSSC 22000 certification implement these 12 steps:

1.      Product Compliance

Ensure that the product complies with food safety, food quality, and regulations. It is important to observe the laws of the country where the product is manufactured and the intended destination.

2.      Food Premises and Process Compliance

All food premises and processes need to comply with Government Food Rules and Regulations. It ensures all food, including beverages, is safe for human consumption and will not source of any damage to consumers. Also, organizations need to find out which Food Rules and Regulations apply to their business. Along with ensuring that organizations read, understand, and implement the requirements of each Food Rule and Regulation. For that FSSC 22000 consultant will provide sufficient knowledge of compliance.

3.      Comply with Requirements

Make sure the organization understands and meets the standards of the requirements before beginning the FSSC 22000 certification procedure.

4.      Comply with Other Relevant Standards

Except for Food Safety Rules and Regulations, the organization may need to comply with other relevant standards also like, finding out which Food Safety Standards apply to the business.

5.      Food Safety Training is Essential

The employee will need Food Safety training. Starting from basic food safety training for all food handlers to more advanced courses for supervisors, managers, HACCP teams, QA and QC managers, and top management.

6.      Select and Comply with the Relevant Technical Standard

FSSC 22000 uses the technical standards below in unification with ISO 22000: 2018 and the additional requirements. It is vital to determine the technical standard that is relevant to the organization.

7.      Complying with Additional Requirements

After determining the technical standard suitable for the organization, It also needs to comply with the additional FSSC 22000 requirements to accomplish the FSSC 22000 Certification.

8.      Conduct a GAP Audit

GAP audits are shown to fix the gaps in the Food Safety Management System in preparation for the actual certification audit. It assists with identifying areas that would need to be addressed before the audit to ensure a successful audit. A complete report with references, findings, and concerns is gathered.

9.      Selecting a Certification Body

After implementing the above Standards and complying with customer requirements and laws and Standards, the organization can then start applying for an audit.

10.  Understand the FSSC Certification Audit Process

The certification audit process dived into two parts internal audits and two-stage audits. The internal audit is to that all the required documents, sufficient staff members, and all operations and processes are working effectively. The two-stage audit is where the certification body took the audit and examined whether the organization fulfils the requirements or not.

11.  Certificate Issue and the Surveillance Audits

The Certification Body shall issue a certificate if it is satisfied with the audit. The certificate fundamentally gives assurance that all the requirements of the standard have been met. Once the certification is issued, there shall be annual surveillance audits within the three-year cycle of which at least one must be unannounced.

12.  Recertification Requirements

The present certification is renewed every three years through the FSSC 22000 recertification audit.

Source: https://foodsafetystandard.wordpress.com/2022/06/27/how-to-obtain-fssc-22000-certification-in-12-easy-steps/