✓Built on ISO 22000
It is built on ISO 22000, so it works with the ISO systems you already run instead of standing apart from them.
From gap assessment to certification audit
Get your site ready for
FSSC 22000 Version 7with a roadmap your
team can execute
A practical route to FSSC 22000 Version 7 for food manufacturers, covering ISO 22000:2018, sector prerequisite programmes and the FSSC Additional Requirements.
✓Built around scheme requirements
✓Audit-focused
✓Designed for manufacturers
Certification readiness
Build evidence before the auditor arrives.
A certification system works best when it is implemented and tested well before the external audit, rather than assembled in the weeks before audit day.
3 layers
ISO 22000
PRPs
FSSC additions
3 years
certification cycle
ISO
built on the global
ISO 22000 standard
Full
system audits for surveillance & recertification
Why FSSC 22000
Why food manufacturerschoose FSSC 22000
FSSC 22000 is one of the most widely adopted GFSI-recognised food safety certifications. Below are three reasons manufacturers choose it.
✓Recognised worldwide
It covers the full range of food-chain categories and is accepted by buyers across Europe, North America and Asia.
✓Risk-based approach
Its ISO foundation lets you design controls around your own processes rather than following a fixed checklist.
What Version 7 covers: FSSC 22000 Version 7 combines ISO 22000, sector-specific prerequisite programmes and a set of Additional Requirements that includes food defence, food fraud mitigation, allergen management and environmental monitoring. Certification gives buyers verifiable evidence that your food is safe, legal and authentic.
Implementation roadmap
A phased route toFSSC 22000 Version 7 readiness.
The work is sequenced so that governance, hazard control, prerequisite programmes, operations and verification are all in place before the certification audit.
1Define scope, category & certification path
Confirm the legal entity, site boundaries, food-chain category/subcategory, products, processes, off-site activities and certification-body arrangements.
2Gap assess the complete FSSC architecture
Assess ISO 22000:2018, the applicable ISO 22002-x PRP standard and FSSC 22000 Version 7 Additional Requirements as one integrated system.
3Strengthen FSMS governance
Review context, interested parties, leadership, policy, objectives, roles, risk/opportunity management, communication and management-system controls.
4Revalidate hazard control
Review PRPs, hazard analysis, OPRPs/CCPs, critical/action criteria, validation, monitoring, verification, emergency preparedness and traceability.
5Implement sector PRPs
Bring the relevant ISO 22002-x prerequisite programme into everyday operation across infrastructure, utilities, cleaning, pest control, personnel hygiene, zoning and related controls.
6Close FSSC Version 7 additional requirements
Address food defence, food fraud, allergen management, environmental monitoring where applicable, quality/quantity controls, equipment, transport/storage, foreign matter, PRP verification and product development.
7Build competence, culture & operational discipline
Train by role, verify competence, embed food safety culture and make control measures visible in day-to-day decisions.
8Verify system effectiveness
Complete internal audits, PRP inspections, traceability/recall exercises, monitoring reviews, trend analysis and corrective-action effectiveness checks.
9Management review & Stage 1 readiness
Confirm that the FSMS is mature enough for Stage 1 and that documentation, implementation and site conditions can withstand a full-system audit.
10Stage 2 / surveillance / recertification readiness
Close Stage 1 issues for initial certification or previous-cycle findings for renewal, then demonstrate the full system in operation.
Important: For initial certification, FSSC v7 requires Stage 1 and Stage 2, with no more than six months between them. Surveillance and recertification audits assess the full system, so the system needs to be maintained between audit dates.
Critical focus
Manage FSSC as one integrated system rather than three separate checklists.
The scheme works when ISO 22000, the relevant ISO 22002-x PRPs and the FSSC Additional Requirements are implemented together and verified through the same management system.
ISO 22000:2018
Core food safety management system
ISO 22002-x
Sector-specific prerequisite programmes
FSSC 2.5.3
Food defence
FSSC 2.5.4
Food fraud mitigation
FSSC 2.5.6
Allergen management
FSSC 2.5.7
Environmental monitoring
FSSC 2.5.9
Quality control
FSSC 2.5.11
Hazard control / foreign matter
FSSC 2.5.12
PRP verification
FSSC 2.5.13
Product design & development
Scheme reference points →
The requirementsbehind each step
✓Part 1: The Scheme
FSSC 22000 v7 is based on ISO 22000:2018, the relevant ISO 22002-x prerequisite programme standard and FSSC Additional Requirements.
✓Part 1: Food Manufacturing
Food manufacturing is covered under Category C, with subcategory determination linked to the scheme's food-chain classification.
✓Part 2: Organization requirements
The audited organization must implement the ISO 22000 requirements, applicable sector PRPs and FSSC Additional Requirements.
✓Part 2.5.12: PRP verification
Routine site inspections / PRP checks are required for applicable categories, with frequency and content based on risk.
✓Part 2.5.13: Product design & development
Changes to products or manufacturing processes must consider food-safety hazards, process flow, resources, equipment and, where applicable, shelf-life validation.
✓Part 3: Certification cycle
Initial certification uses Stage 1 and Stage 2; surveillance audits are full-system audits and recertification audits are full-system audits within the three-year cycle.
✓Part 3: Initial certification
The interval between Stage 1 and Stage 2 shall not exceed six months; otherwise Stage 1 must be repeated.
✓Part 3: Surveillance & recertification
Surveillance is a full-system audit and recertification is preferably conducted before certificate expiry, within the three-year cycle.
Get started with AuditQ
Talk to an expert about your certification.
See exactly where your site stands against the standard and get a prioritised plan of what to close before your audit.
AQTalk to an expert30 min call, no strings attached✓Integrated ISO 22000 / PRP / FSSC gap assessment
✓Food defence and food fraud review
✓Allergen and environmental-monitoring review
✓Internal audit and PRP verification
✓Stage 1 / Stage 2 readiness support
✓CAPA and management review preparation
