Overview of ISO 22000:2018 Certification
ISO 22000:2018 certification specifies the requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) that integrates principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) with prerequisite programs (PRPs). This standard helps organizations in the food chain identify and control food safety hazards, ensuring that food products are safe for consumption. ISO 22000:2018 is applicable to all organizations involved in any aspect of the food chain, from farm to fork. By obtaining this certification, organizations demonstrate their commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance, and continual improvement, thereby gaining customer trust and access to new markets.
Structure of the ISO 22000:2018 Standard
The ISO 22000:2018 standard is structured into several clauses that outline the requirements for a food safety management system. Here’s a brief overview of the structure by clause:
- Scope (Clause 1): Defines the scope of the standard, outlining what the standard covers and excludes.
- Normative References (Clause 2): Lists any referenced standards or documents essential for understanding and implementing ISO 22000.
- Terms and Definitions (Clause 3): Provides definitions of key terms used throughout the standard to ensure common understanding.
- Context of the Organization (Clause 4): Requires organizations to determine the external and internal issues relevant to their purpose and strategic direction, and the interested parties affected by the FSMS.
- Leadership (Clause 5): Focuses on the commitment of top management to the FSMS, including establishing a food safety policy, roles, responsibilities, and authorities.
- Planning (Clause 6): Covers actions to address risks and opportunities, food safety objectives and planning to achieve them, and planning of changes.
- Support (Clause 7): Addresses resources, including competent people, infrastructure, work environment, monitoring and measuring resources, organizational knowledge, and the documented information necessary for the FSMS.
- Operation (Clause 8): Includes operational planning and control, prerequisite programs (PRPs), hazard control, and the management of emergencies.
- Performance Evaluation (Clause 9): Covers monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation, including internal audit and management review.
- Improvement (Clause 10): Deals with nonconformity and corrective action, continual improvement, and updating the FSMS.
Each clause contains specific requirements that organizations must meet to achieve ISO 22000:2018 certification. This structure helps ensure that the FSMS is robust, effective, and aligned with organizational goals and customer expectations.
Benefits of ISO 22000:2018 Certification
- Enhanced Food Safety: ISO 22000:2018 certification ensures that food safety hazards are identified, controlled, and monitored effectively. This enhances the safety of food products, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and protecting public health.
- Reduction in Food Waste: By implementing rigorous food safety controls, organizations can reduce food spoilage and waste. This not only saves costs but also contributes to sustainability efforts and environmental protection.
- Regulatory Compliance: Certification helps organizations comply with international and national food safety regulations, reducing the risk of legal penalties and improving trust with regulatory bodies. By meeting stringent food safety standards, organizations can ensure their products meet legal requirements.
- Improved Risk Management: The standard promotes a systematic approach to identifying and managing food safety risks, ensuring business continuity and minimizing disruptions. Effective risk management practices help protect the organization from potential food safety issues and related costs.
- Enhanced Supplier Relationships: By requiring suppliers to meet stringent food safety criteria, organizations can improve the overall quality and safety of their supply chain. This fosters stronger partnerships and ensures that suppliers adhere to the same high standards of food safety.
- Operational Efficiency: Implementing ISO 22000:2018 helps streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance overall operational performance. By optimizing resource utilization and minimizing errors, organizations can lower costs and improve productivity.
Eligibility Criteria for ISO 22000:2018 Certification
To achieve ISO 22000:2018 certification, an organization must meet several key criteria, including establishing a documented FSMS, demonstrating top management commitment, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Additionally, organizations must focus on risk management, maintain effective processes for food safety, and continually improve their FSMS. Key points include:
- Documented Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
- Top Management Commitment
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Management and Food Safety
- Continual Improvement
Who Should Establish the Requirement for ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
The requirements for ISO 22000:2018 certification should be established by any organization involved in the food chain, regardless of size or sector. This includes food producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, and service providers. By adopting ISO 22000 standards, these organizations can achieve significant benefits, such as improved food safety, enhanced regulatory compliance, and increased customer trust. For instance, food manufacturers can ensure product safety and quality, while retailers can demonstrate their commitment to providing safe food products. Overall, ISO 22000 helps organizations build a robust FSMS that aligns with industry regulations and customer expectations, driving long-term success.
Steps for Obtaining ISO 22000:2018 Certification
Obtaining ISO 22000:2018 certification involves several key steps:
- Establishing a FSMS: Define processes, procedures, and policies that ensure consistent delivery of food products that meet regulatory and customer requirements.
- Documentation: Develop the necessary documentation for the FSMS, including a Food Safety Manual, documented procedures, work instructions, and records required by the standard.
- Implementation: Implement the FSMS across the organization, ensuring that all relevant personnel are aware of their roles and responsibilities in maintaining food safety standards.
- Internal Audit: Conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the FSMS and identify areas for improvement.
- Management Review: Hold management reviews to evaluate the FSMS’s performance, suitability, adequacy, and opportunities for improvement.
- Pre-assessment (Optional): Some organizations choose to conduct a pre-assessment or gap analysis to identify any areas where the FSMS does not meet ISO 22000 requirements before proceeding to formal certification.
- Certification Audit: Engage an accredited certification body to conduct a certification audit. This audit will assess the organization’s FSMS against ISO 22000 requirements to determine compliance.
- Corrective Actions: Address any non-conformities identified during the certification audit and implement corrective actions as necessary.
- Certification: Upon successful completion of the certification audit and resolution of any non-conformities, the certification body will issue ISO 22000:2018 certification.
- Surveillance Audits: Maintain the FSMS and undergo periodic surveillance audits by the certification body to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 22000 requirements.
By following these steps, organizations can achieve ISO 22000:2018 certification, demonstrating their commitment to food safety and regulatory compliance in the food industry.
What are the Documents and Records an Organization Should Maintain for ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
Mandatory Documents:
- Scope of the Food Safety Management System (Clause 4.3)
- Food Safety Policy (Clause 5.2)
- Food Safety Objectives (Clause 6.2)
- Criteria for Evaluation and Selection of Suppliers (Clause 8.5.1)
- Documented Information Required by the Standard (Clause 7.5.1)
Mandatory Records:
- Records of Monitoring and Measurement Equipment Calibration (Clause 7.1.5.1)
- Records of Training, Skills, Experience, and Qualifications (Clause 7.2)
- Product/Service Requirements Review Records (Clause 8.2.3.2)
- Records of Hazard Analysis and Control Measures (Clause 8.5.1)
- Records of Control of Nonconforming Outputs (Clause 8.9.2)
- Supplier Evaluation and Re-evaluation Records (Clause 8.5.1)
- Results of Monitoring and Measurement of Product/Service (Clause 9.1.1)
- Internal Audit Program and Results (Clause 9.2)
- Management Review Minutes (Clause 9.3)
- Records of Corrective Actions (Clause 10.2)
Non-Mandatory Documents (Examples):
- Procedure for Control of Documented Information
- Procedure for Internal Audits
- Procedure for Control of Nonconforming Outputs
- Procedure for Corrective Actions
- Procedure for Preventive Actions
By maintaining these documents and records, organizations can ensure compliance with ISO 22000:2018 requirements and demonstrate their commitment to food safety and regulatory standards in the food industry.
Why Choose Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. (GAPL)?
Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. stands out as a trusted partner for achieving ISO 22000:2018 certification due to the following reasons:
- Proven Expertise: With extensive experience in the certification industry, Guardian Assessment understands the specific needs of organizations aiming to enhance their food safety management practices.
- Objective Auditing: Provides thorough and impartial auditing services to ensure that each organization meets the stringent requirements of ISO 22000:2018.
- Global Recognition: As a trusted and accredited certification body recognized by the United Accreditation Foundation (UAF), Guardian Assessment offers globally accepted certification services that meet the highest standards of quality and integrity.
- Comprehensive Auditing: Conducts detailed assessments from the initial audit to final certification, helping organizations achieve and sustain ISO 22000:2018 certification.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Prioritizes client satisfaction by delivering responsive and professional services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free certification experience.
What is the Certification Process for ISO 22000:2018?
The certification process with Guardian Assessment Pvt. Ltd. is straightforward and designed to be as smooth as possible:
- Stage 1 Audit: A preliminary audit to evaluate the preparedness of the organization for the certification process. This stage involves a review of the management system’s documentation and an assessment of the organization’s location and site-specific conditions.
- Stage 2 Audit: A more detailed and thorough audit to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the management system. This stage includes a review of the documentation and evidence to ensure compliance with ISO 22000:2018 requirements.
- Closure of Findings: Any non-conformities identified during the audits are addressed and corrected. The organization must implement corrective actions to close these findings to meet the certification criteria.
- Certification Decision: Upon successful closure of all findings and verification of compliance, Guardian Assessment awards the ISO 22000:2018 certification.
- Surveillance Audits: Regular audits conducted to ensure that the organization continues to meet the requirements of ISO 22000:2018. These audits help in maintaining the certification by ensuring ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
- Recertification Audits: Conducted at the end of the certification cycle to ensure that the organization remains compliant with ISO 22000:2018 standards and to renew the certification.
What is the Cost of ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
The cost of ISO 22000:2018 certification can vary significantly based on several factors, making it crucial for a certification body to consider each organization’s unique needs. Expenses for certification are influenced by the size of the organization, its location, the complexity of its operations, processes, their inter-relevance, and the current state of implementation of the required standards. Typically, smaller organizations may incur lower costs, whereas larger organizations may face higher expenses. The primary factors that affect certification costs include the status of system implementation within the organization, audit duration, and registration fees, which are generally referred to as certification fees. GAPL provides a comprehensive quotation by considering all relevant factors. Client organizations need to submit detailed information using the specific form F-01, available for download on the official portal. For further inquiries, you are advised to contact us via email at guardianassessment@gmail.com or click on “Contact Us” on the portal to submit your inquiry.
Integration of ISO 22000:2018 with Other Standards
An integrated management system (IMS) combines all related components of a business into one system for easier management and operations. Information security, privacy, quality, environmental, safety, and various specialized management systems are often combined and managed as an IMS. An IMS integrates all of an organization’s systems and processes into one complete framework, enabling the organization to work as a single unit with unified objectives. ISO 22000:2018 can be integrated with standards such as:
- ISO 27001:2022 (ISMS) – Information Security Management System
- ISO 9001:2015 (QMS) – Quality Management System
- ISO 14001:2015 (EMS) – Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001:2018 (OHSMS) – Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- ISO 13485:2016 (MD-QMS) – Medical Devices Quality Management System
- ISO 27701:2019 (PIMS) – Privacy Information Management System
- ISO 20000-1:2018 (IT-SMS) – Information Technology Services Management System
- ISO 41001:2018 (FMS) – Facility Management – Management System
- ISO 21001:2018 (EOMS) – Educational Organizations Management System
- ISO 37001:2016 (ABMS) – Anti Bribery Management System
- ISO 50001:2018 (EnMS) – Energy Management System
- ISO 55001:2014 (AMMS) – Asset Management System
How to Apply for ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
If you plan to pursue ISO 22000:2018 certification, request a quotation by providing your organization’s information in the application form. You can download the application form from our website’s Download section or submit your inquiry through the “Contact Us” button. Alternatively, you can send your inquiry via email to guardianassessment@gmail.com. Our team will provide you with guidance throughout the complete certification process.
FAQ on ISO 22000:2018
What is ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
ISO 22000:2018 certification is a globally recognized standard for food safety management systems (FSMS). It specifies the requirements for organizations in the food chain to ensure food safety from farm to fork. The standard combines and supplements the core elements of ISO 9001 (quality management) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
Why Should My Organization Pursue ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
Pursuing ISO 22000:2018 certification demonstrates your organization’s commitment to food safety and quality. It can help you improve risk management, comply with regulatory requirements, enhance customer confidence, and gain access to new markets. Certification also supports continuous improvement in your processes and products.
What Documentation is Required for ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
Key documentation required includes a food safety policy, documentation of the food safety management system scope, hazard analysis and risk assessment, control measures for identified hazards, prerequisite programs (PRPs), operational PRPs, documentation of food safety objectives, procedures for monitoring and measurement, internal audit reports, and evidence of top management reviews of the FSMS.
How Long Does the ISO 22000:2018 Certification Process Take?
The duration of the ISO 22000:2018 certification process can vary depending on the size and complexity of your organization, the current state of your food safety management practices, and the resources allocated to the project. Typically, it can take one week to 20 days from the initial assessment to achieving certification.
How Does ISO 22000:2018 Certification Support Food Safety Goals?
ISO 22000:2018 certification supports food safety goals by promoting a systematic approach to identifying and controlling food safety hazards, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in food safety management. This helps organizations prevent foodborne illnesses and protect consumers.
Can Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Get ISO 22000:2018 Certification?
Yes, ISO 22000:2018 is designed to be flexible and can be implemented by organizations of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The standard provides a scalable framework that SMEs can adapt to their specific needs and resources, helping them improve food safety management without undue burden.
How Can ISO 22000:2018 Certification Improve Customer Confidence?
ISO 22000:2018 certification demonstrates that your organization meets international food safety standards, which can significantly improve customer confidence. By ensuring that food safety risks are effectively managed, certification reassures customers that your products are safe and of high quality, leading to increased trust and loyalty.
What is the Process for Recertification to ISO 22000:2018?
The recertification process for ISO 22000:2018 involves a comprehensive audit by an accredited certification body to ensure that your FSMS continues to meet the standard’s requirements. This process includes a review of any changes to your FSMS, an evaluation of continuous improvement efforts, and verification of ongoing compliance with food safety regulations.