ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System

Established through the integration of HACCP principles with the ISO management system standards (HLS), ISO 22000 offers a preventive, risk-based approach rather than a reactive one (intervening after an incident has occurred), and ensures that organizations achieve full compliance with legal requirements and international standards.

What Is the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System?

The ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System is an international series of management standards that ensures biological, chemical, physical and allergen hazards that could put human health and food safety at risk are identified in advance and brought under control at every stage of the food supply chain, from raw material to the final point of consumption.

Covering all links in the food chain, this system has been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and brings together the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and ISO's High Level Structure (HLS) architecture under a single umbrella.

ISO 22000 is based on a preventive, risk- and opportunity-based management approach instead of reactive approaches (intervening after a problem has arisen). In this way, it does not merely inspect the final product; it safeguards the safety of all the processes in which food is produced, processed, stored and transported, along with full compliance with legal regulations.

Key Elements of the ISO 22000 Standard

The ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System brings together the following 4 key elements to create an effective food safety chain:

• Interactive Communication: Transparent information flow along the entire chain, from suppliers to producers, from logistics providers to the end consumer and legal authorities.
• System Management: Carrying out food safety processes within a holistic and disciplined management structure.
• Prerequisite Programmes (PRP): Standardization of basic production conditions such as hygiene, sanitation, equipment maintenance and personnel hygiene.
• HACCP Principles: Carrying out hazard analyses and determining Critical Control Points (CCP) and operational Prerequisite Programmes (OPRP) so that they can be monitored continuously.

Who Can Obtain an ISO 22000 Certificate?

The ISO 22000 Standard can be applied by companies of every size and in every sector that are directly or indirectly involved in the food chain:

• Food producers and processing facilities
• Agriculture, livestock and feed producers
• Food packaging and packaging material manufacturers
• Food storage, logistics, transport and distribution companies
• Restaurants, hotels, catering (mass catering) and fast-consumption businesses
• Manufacturers of food equipment, cleaning chemicals and additives

What Are the Contributions of the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System to a Company?

Holding an ISO 22000 Certificate does not just give a business the advantage of meeting legal obligations; it also offers direct contributions in commercial, operational and reputational terms:

• Consumer Confidence and Brand Reputation: By demonstrating that safe, hygienic and traceable food is offered to consumers, it increases brand value and customer loyalty.
• International Trade and New Market Opportunities: With the ISO 22000 certificate, which is required as a prerequisite in global markets and by major retail chains, it raises export potential and competitiveness.
• Prevention of Legal Compliance Failures and Penalty Risks: By achieving full compliance with national and international food legislation, it eliminates the risk of legal penalties, production stoppages and closures.
• Reduction of Product Losses and Cost Losses: By minimizing defective production, product recalls, scrap and waste rates, it delivers significant cost savings.
• Operational Efficiency and Service Quality: Thanks to a process-oriented working discipline, it raises employees' awareness of hygiene and food safety and helps achieve consistent quality in production processes.
• Sustainability and Climate Risk Management: It strengthens the business's adaptability and supply security against climate change and raw material fluctuations in the supply chain.

How Does the ISO 22000 Certification Process Work with NBC Global?

We offer a transparent, fast and value-adding process on your certification journey:

1. 1

   Application and Planning: Preparing an audit plan suited to your company's size and sector.

2. 2

   Stage 1 Audit (Document Review): Reviewing the conformity of your management system infrastructure and documentation with the requirements of the standard.

3. 3

   Stage 2 Audit (On-Site Audit): Verification by our independent auditors of the effectiveness of implementation on site, across production and service processes.

4. 4

   Certification and Approval: Issuing your internationally recognized ISO 22000 certificate after the audit is successfully completed.