ISO 22000

Q: What is ISO 22000:2015?

ISO 22000:2015 was the first instalment of the international standard for food safety management. It was a set of guidlines allowing businesses to implement a food safety management system that would help them control hazards within their supply chain, producing food products that are safe for consumption. It is superseded by ISO 22000:2018.

Q: What is ISO 22000:2018?

ISO 22000:2018 is the most up-to-date version of the standard for implementing a food safety management system. It is a set of guidelines aimed at helping businesses to identify, monitor, control and prevent hazards in their food production processes, ensuring that the items they produce are safe for consumption.

Q: What is the difference between HACCP and ISO 22000?

Both ISO 22000 and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems are similar in a variety of ways in that they are both focused on make food safe to consume. The differences lie in how they go about this. HACCP is focused on the control of hazards at specific points in food production. By removing hazards you are improving the safety of the food products that you produce. ISO 22000 is more generalised than HACCP, looking at food safety across the supply chain rather than at identified critical points. ISO 22000 does use HACCP principles in its guidelines but it expands upon them. ISO 22000 also covers areas not specifically mentioned by HACCP such as guidance on dealing with allergens.

Q: Is certification required with ISO 22000?

It is not necessary to become certified to ISO 22000. However, if you do chose to seek it out, certification provides proof to the businesses you work with and your customers that you have a stringent and reliable set of processes in place that help you to ensure the safety of your food products .

Food Safety Management

Improve food safety by reducing risks and following the Codex HACCP Principles.

Use the ISO 22000 framework to keep food safe, from producer to consumer.

Get your free quote today

A graphic of a white tick on a green circle

ISO 22000

Benefits

ISO 22000

Cost

ISO 22000

Requirements

ISO 22000

Process

ISO 22000

FAQs

ISO 22000

Further details

What is ISO 22000?

ISO 22000 is a set of guidelines that help businesses to set out and manage a Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The processes and procedures that a business implements through ISO 22000 will help them to identify, monitor, reduce and prevent food safety hazards at any stage of the food chain.

By helping you improve communications along your food supply chain, the ISO 22000 framework will help you deliver safe and healthy food to your customers. This globally recognised standard complies with the Codex HACCP Principles and has regulatory approval.

Using a Food Safety Management System will help you ensure the food you supply is of a high standard and free from contamination.

0333 344 3646

UK team 8am - 5pm

Contact us

Live chat

Get a quote

The Benefits of ISO 22000

By becoming ISO 22000 certified, you will demonstrate your commitment to food safety to customers and other stakeholders. You will also introduce internationally recognised Food Safety Management processes into your business that will strengthen your risk management controls, and improve transparency and accountability. This will enhance your brand’s reputation, which in turn will give you a competitive advantage and help you win new business.

Here are some benefits of using the ISO 22000 framework:

Embed internationally recognised Food Safety Management processes in your business
Strengthen risk management controls across your food supply chain
Improve the confidence of customers, suppliers and other stakeholders in the safety of your food and your ability to reduce health risks
Improve transparency and accountability in your organisation by clarifying responsibilities
Help you optimise and update your systems through a process of continuous improvement, so they remain effective
Reassure your management team that the organisation has robust and effective food safety procedures across its supply chain
Ensure your entire food supply chain has robust controls that prevent the introduction of hazardous materials and contamination

The Requirements of ISO 22000

The ISO 22000 standard uses a structure of ten clauses called Annex SL which, roughly grouped together, cover four key areas:

Food safety - the processes and procedures your business needs to follow throughout its supply chain in order to keep food safe for consumption
Management Responsibility - the areas where your management team need to focus on, be involved with and be accountable for
Resource Management - how resources such as people, infrastructure and facilities must be assigned to ensure the best possible performance
Measurement, Analysis and Improvement - the final clauses cover how you can determine if your Management System is working as expected, facilitating the continual improvement of your system

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO 22000:2015?

What is ISO 22000:2018?

What is the difference between HACCP and ISO 22000?

Is certification required with ISO 22000?

Find out more

How can QMS help your Business?

The QMS process gets your business certified for success:

Expert

Our nationwide team of consultants and auditors has provided certifications to clients ranging from SMEs to blue chip organisations across a broad spectrum of verticals and industries.

Affordable

Our processes add value at every stage, without taking up unwarranted management time. We commit to providing you with the best possible value for money – including a price promise from the outset, along with the ability to stagger payments at no extra cost.

Simple

We remove the red tape and paperwork for you, making the process as smooth and uncomplicated as possible, and ensuring you get the framework that works for you.

A smiling QMS Certification Development Consultant takes a call on his headset

How businesses have benefited from ISO 22000

Client Testimonials of QMS and the ISO Certification Process

Great and helpful service as always!
Delightful visit from one of the QMS Consultants - really helpful and enthusiastic. Keen to support the business with its quality endeavours so we're super happy.
Jack Wise . The Raphael Hospital

Originally posted on

ISO 22000

Learn More

ISO 22000 Certification Process

Our expert consultants will make the ISO 22000 certification process as straightforward as possible for you. This includes helping your business make any necessary changes to its processes.

Our 3-stage certification process ensures you get the help you need at every step. We can even create your Food Safety Management System documentation for you, using our QMS Connect portal, saving you time and money.

Once you have achieved certification you will need to pass an audit each year. This is to ensure your business continues to benefit from the ISO 22000 food safety management system. Your first audit will be one year after you receive your certificate.

The Head of Certification at QMS discusses ISO with a QMS client

1

Gap Analysis

A QMS Consultant will visit your Organisation to review and document your current processes and procedures, highlighting any areas that do not meet the requirements of the Standard.

2

Implementation

Now it's time to make sure any required process or procedural changes are made, as highlighted in the Review. QMS can provide templates to assist you in doing this.

3

Certification

An Auditor must now visit your Organisation to check that the documented processes are being followed and that the necessary changes have been made. Once they are satisfied, you will be awarded your certification.

Once you have achieved certification the certification cycle will commence. This is made up of surveillance and re-certification audits, one of which must take place each year, around the anniversary of your certification. These visits confirm your continued compliance with the Standard and verify the validity of your certification.

Your all-in-one Management System Solution

QMS Connect delivers all the tools you need to achieve and maintain ISO compliance.

With simple navigation, real-time reporting and the ability to modify and update content on the go, QMS Connect keeps you in control. Accessible online via your computer, tablet or smartphone 24 hours a day, QMS Connect helps you manage your ISO Management System in real-time.

QMS Connect helps engage your teams, so that you can capture data that will drive business decisions – increasing repeat business, reducing customer complaints and ultimately saving you both time and money.