ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System
The ISO 22000 certificate is a globally recognized food management system. Some countries not only accept its validity but also offer customized security improvements with additional requirements. For instance, the BRC Food Technical Standard, established through the British Retail Consortium (BRC), is used for food suppliers and secondary producers that come into contact with food packaging.
Ensuring the safety of food and food-contact products is the responsibility of manufacturers. These businesses must continually identify food risks and take measures to preserve safety. Therefore, maintaining a hygienic environment is essential to ensure the safety of every batch of products. In this regard, implementing the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System and ensuring its continuity is the most effective solution.
Agriculture and food are among the largest and longest supply chain sectors globally. Agriculture and food play a critical role in producing the necessary materials for one of the most basic human functions—nutrition. In this context, verifying the products, services, and processes in the agriculture and food sectors ensures that food products are healthy, hygienic, safe, nutritious, and of high quality.
Companies that produce, process, sell, or distribute products whose content, safety, health, and hygiene levels are verified are certified according to various standards, laws, and regulatory frameworks.
Some of the prestigious certification programs in the agriculture and food sector include:
- HACCP Certificate
- BRC Certificate
- GLOBAL GAP Certificate
- Halal Food, Vegan, and Kosher Certificates
- MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) Certificate
- ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) Certificate
- Good Manufacturing and Agricultural Practices (GMP, GAP) Certificates
- KTW Hygiene Certificate
- NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) Certificate
- Organic Food Certificate
What Are the Benefits of the ISO 22000 Certificate?
By obtaining the ISO 22000 certificate, a food safety management system can be established systematically, bringing numerous added value to businesses. Effectively implementing the system and ensuring traceability, while continuously improving processes, brings the following benefits to companies:
- More effective and dynamic control of food safety hazards.
- Competitive opportunities in domestic and global markets.
- Prevention of errors and resource waste.
- Prevention of foodborne illnesses.
- Compliance with legal regulations, avoiding issues during audits.
- Increased business efficiency, adoption of HACCP, OGP principles.
- Customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Fulfillment of legal obligations.
- Effective risk management and service traceability.
- Prevention of food poisoning and similar incidents.
- Reduction in production errors and cost savings.
- Increased awareness of food safety among employees.
- Improved stock control and easier monitoring of distribution operations.
Who Should Obtain the ISO 22000 Certificate?
The ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System can be applied by all organizations directly or indirectly involved in the food supply chain, including:
- Farms, fisheries, and dairies,
- Meat, fish, and food businesses,
- Bakers, beverage manufacturers, canned and frozen food producers,
- Restaurants, cafeterias, chain markets, hospitals, hotels, and mobile food vendors,
- Packaging manufacturers (bags, cartons),
- Other packaging manufacturers in contact with food,
- Raw material suppliers,
- Food transport companies,
- Animal feed manufacturers,
- Food warehouses,
- Food machinery manufacturers,
- Cleaning chemical manufacturers for the food industry.
How to Obtain the ISO 22000 Certificate?
Companies wishing to obtain the ISO 22000 certificate must first complete the application process. After carefully processing your applications, tailored plans will be created for your business. Inspections and evaluations are carried out by our accredited organization, and your certification process will begin.
Some of the requirements for obtaining the ISO 22000 certificate include:
- Establishing a food safety team,
- Preparing sufficient resources for safe food production,
- Monitoring and controlling devices,
- Updating the food safety management system,
- Setting goals for the policy.
Companies aiming to obtain the ISO 22000 certificate must meet the standard’s requirements, including providing necessary documentation, maintaining records, and following procedures as outlined in ISO 22000.
1. During the initial assessment phase, areas of non-compliance are identified, and information is gathered for review.
2. During the audit phase, the information collected is verified. The organization's ISO 22000 structure is audited by our expert lead auditors according to standard requirements.
At the certification completion phase, any non-conformities found during the audit are resolved, and the report is finalized and submitted to the certification committee for approval.
Where to Obtain the ISO 22000 Certificate?
The ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System certificate must be obtained from a certification body authorized to issue it in your industry or sector. Each sector has a designated EA/NACE code. At EOScert, we provide certification services to all sectors under the ISO 22000 standard. Feel free to contact us for all application processes and any questions you may have.