Categorie serviciu: Inspection & Food Safety Certification

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What is the ISO 22000 standard?

The ISO 22000 standard sets out the requirements for a food safety management system. The current edition, ISO 22000:2018 (SR EN ISO 22000:2019), provides a framework through which organisations in the food chain identify, prevent and control food safety hazards at every stage, ‘from farm to fork’. The standard can be implemented on its own or integrated with other management systems.

The four key elements of the standard

The ISO 22000:2018 standard combines four internationally recognised elements, which together ensure food safety throughout the agri-food supply chain:

• interactive communication throughout the food chain, to identify and control hazards;
• system management, by integrating food safety into a structured management system;
• HACCP principles, for hazard analysis and the control of critical control points;
• preliminary programmes (PRP), which ensure the hygiene conditions necessary for the production of safe food.

ISO 22000 and the HACCP principles

A central element of the ISO 22000 standard is the integration of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles, developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In practice, ISO 22000 adopts the HACCP methodology – hazard analysis, identification of critical control points, establishment of critical limits and control measures – and integrates it into a comprehensive management system. For many organisations, ISO 22000 certification is the means by which an existing HACCP plan is formalised and independently verified, thus offering a structured alternative to separate HACCP certification.

How ISO 22000:2018 works

ISO 22000:2018 adopts the high-level structure (Annex SL) common to modern management standards, which facilitates integration with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001. The standard operates on the basis of the PDCA cycle and applies risk-based thinking at two levels: operational risk, addressed through HACCP-style hazard analysis, and organisational (strategic) risk, addressed through the assessment of factors that may affect the organisation’s ability to achieve its food safety objectives. ISO 22000:2018 is the current edition; the standard is currently undergoing international revision, but until a new edition is published, certification is carried out in accordance with ISO 22000:2018.

ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 – which one should you choose?

A frequently asked question is whether an organisation should opt for ISO 22000 or the FSSC 22000 scheme. The key difference is as follows: ISO 22000 is an international management standard, which can be implemented on its own or integrated with other standards, but is not recognised by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). FSSC 22000, on the other hand, is a comprehensive scheme built on ISO 22000, to which sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional requirements are added, and it is recognised by the GFSI.

In practice, ISO 22000 is suitable for organisations seeking a robust and flexible food safety management system, without the need for GFSI recognition. When customers or retailers require GFSI-recognised certification, FSSC 22000 is the right choice. SRAC offers both types of certification and can help you identify the right solution for your situation.

The benefits of ISO 22000 certification

ISO 22000 certification brings tangible benefits:

• the supply of safe products to the next link in the food chain or to the end consumer;
• assessing and meeting customer requirements, whilst demonstrating compliance with food safety standards;
• effective communication with customers and other stakeholders throughout the food chain;
• compliance with the requirements of the food safety regulatory authorities;
• compliance with its own food safety policies;
• prevention rather than correction – it is far more effective to prevent dangers than to remedy their consequences;
• the possibility of integration with other management systems, such as ISO 9001, and a solid foundation for a subsequent transition to FSSC 22000.

The stages of ISO 22000 certification with SRAC

The ISO 22000 certification process involves auditing the food safety management system against the requirements of the standard.

1. Submission of the request for quotation and determination of the scope of certification.
2. The two-stage certification audit: a review of documentation and an on-site assessment of the system’s implementation.
3. Addressing any non-conformities and implementing corrective actions.
4. Issuance of the ISO 22000 certificate, valid for 3 years.
5. Annual surveillance audits and the recertification audit at the end of the cycle.

The cost of ISO 22000 certification

The cost of ISO 22000 certification depends on the size of the organisation, the number of employees, the complexity of the processes and the number of sites. To find out the exact cost of ISO 22000 certification, the best option is to request a personalised quote.

Why SRAC

SRAC is accredited by RENAR – the national accreditation body (certificate no. SM 004) – for the certification of food safety management systems.

The SRAC certificate is internationally recognised thanks to its accreditation by RENAR – a signatory to the international IAF-MLA agreement and its partnership with IQNET (The International Certification Network).

Organisations certified by SRAC receive both the SRAC certificate and the IQNET certificate at no extra cost. This reassures customers and business partners that the audits have been carried out to the highest standards of impartiality and professionalism, and also facilitates access to foreign markets.

Join the leading companies and institutions in Romania that have chosen the SRAC brand: over 10,000 certified organisations / over 25,000 certificates awarded in 30 years. From top brands to major public institutions, leading companies have chosen our services. 

Choose the leader in certification – Get certified with SRAC!

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Sectors and organisations eligible for ISO 22000 certification

ISO 22000 is aimed at all organisations involved, directly or indirectly, in the agri-food supply chain, regardless of their size. These include primary producers, food manufacturers, transport and storage operators, catering companies, distributors and retailers, as well as suppliers of related services or materials (for example, manufacturers of equipment or packaging). In practice, any organisation wishing to demonstrate responsible food safety management can obtain ISO 22000 certification.

Frequently asked questions about ISO 22000 certification 

What does ISO 22000 certification mean?

 ISO 22000 certification is confirmation, by an independent body, that an organisation’s food safety management system complies with the requirements of the ISO 22000:2018 standard. It attests to the organisation’s ability to control risks and hazards and to supply safe products.

What is the connection between ISO 22000 and HACCP?

ISO 22000 incorporates the HACCP principles developed by the Codex Alimentarius and integrates them into a comprehensive management system. As a result, hazard analysis and critical control points become part of a structured framework that can be verified through certification.

Do I need to have HACCP already in place in order to obtain ISO 22000 certification?

It is not a formal prerequisite, but the HACCP principles form an integral part of ISO 22000. In practice, an organisation implementing ISO 22000 also develops a HACCP plan as part of its food safety management system.

Is ISO 22000 recognised by the GFSI?

No. ISO 22000 is an international management standard, but it is not a GFSI-recognised scheme. To achieve GFSI recognition, the organisation must opt for FSSC 22000, which is based on ISO 22000.

How much does ISO 22000 certification cost?

The price varies depending on the size of the organisation, the number of employees, the complexity of the processes and the number of locations. For an exact price, we recommend that you request a personalised quote.

How long is the ISO 22000 certificate valid for?

The ISO 22000 certificate is valid for three years, provided that the annual surveillance audits are passed successfully, followed by a recertification audit at the end of the period.

Does ISO 22000 also apply to distribution and transport, not just production?

Da. ISO 22000 este aplicabil întregii filiere agroalimentare, inclusiv operatorilor de transport, depozitare, distribuție și retail, nu doar producătorilor de alimente.

What do I need to do to get started?

The first step is to submit a request for a quotation to SRAC. You will receive a personalised quotation and the details you need to begin the ISO 22000 certification process.

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What is the FSSC 22000 Scheme?

FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is a food safety management system certification scheme intended for organizations throughout the food chain. Unlike a single standard, FSSC 22000 combines an international management standard, sector-specific technical requirements and additional requirements established by the Scheme, providing a robust and internationally recognized framework for controlling food safety risks and hazards.

The version of the FSSC Scheme currently in force can be consulted  here.

The three components of the Scheme

The FSSC 22000 Scheme is based on three components which, together, form the certification scheme:

• ISO 22000:2018 – the international standard for food safety management systems, applicable to any organization in the food chain;
• sector-specific technical specifications (prerequisite programmes / PRPs) – for example, ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 for food manufacturing and ISO/TS 22002-4:2013 for food packaging manufacturing;
• additional requirements established by the FSSC Foundation, which supplement the standard with requirements specific to the Scheme (see the requirements currently in force here or on the FSSC Foundation website here).

FSSC 22000 and GFSI recognition

The FSSC 22000 Scheme has benefited from full recognition by GFSI (The Global Food Safety Initiative) since 2010. This recognition demonstrates that the Scheme meets the highest global standards and is widely accepted by retailers, manufacturers and accreditation bodies worldwide. For organizations, an FSSC 22000 certificate means easier access to markets and supply chains that require GFSI-recognized certification.

FSSC 22000 for food products and food packaging

An important advantage of the Scheme is its broad scope: FSSC 22000 is intended for both food manufacturers and food packaging manufacturers. With regard to the food safety of packaging, the Scheme uses specific prerequisite programmes (ISO/TS 22002-4:2013), which address risks associated with materials that come into contact with food products. Therefore, an organization manufacturing packaging intended for the food industry can demonstrate, through FSSC 22000 certification, that its products comply with food safety requirements.

SRAC CERT provides auditing and certification services for food safety management systems in accordance with the requirements of the FSSC 22000 Scheme, for both food products and food packaging.

FSSC 22000 Version 6 – requirements and key changes

FSSC 22000 Version 6 is the version currently used as the basis for certification audits. Published by the FSSC Foundation in April 2023, with mandatory audits starting on 1 April 2024, this version introduced several important changes:

• integration of the requirements of ISO 22003-1:2022 regarding the duration and conduct of audits;
• strengthened requirements relating to food safety and quality culture;
• new provisions relating to quality control, equipment management, allergen management, production environment monitoring, and the reduction of food loss and waste;
• support for organizations in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Transition to FSSC 22000 Version 7

In May 2026, the FSSC Foundation published FSSC 22000 Version 7, which adopts the new ISO 22002-X:2025 series of prerequisite programmes and aligns with the GFSI 2024 benchmarking requirements. According to the transition timeline, audits conducted against Version 6 will remain valid until 30 April 2027, and certified organizations will transition to Version 7 through a transition audit, in accordance with the deadlines established by the FSSC Foundation.

Transition audits to Version 7 of the FSSC 22000 Scheme will take place between 1 May 2027 and 30 April 2028.

Organizations currently certified against Version 6 can plan the transition within their regular audit cycle in order to ensure continuity of certification.

Quality and food safety management through FSSC 22000

Although FSSC 22000 is, in essence, a scheme dedicated to food safety, Version 6 has strengthened the relationship between quality management and food safety. Requirements relating to quality control and food safety and quality culture bring the quality dimension into the management system. In addition, because FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000, which shares the common high-level structure of ISO standards, the Scheme can be easily integrated with ISO 9001 (quality management). Organizations can therefore build an integrated, coherent and effective quality and food safety management system.

Benefits of FSSC 22000 certification

FSSC 22000 certification provides concrete benefits:

• international recognition through GFSI, valued by retailers and major buyers in the food industry;
• rigorous control of food safety risks and hazards throughout the production chain;
• the possibility of improving existing systems compliant with ISO 22000, with lower certification costs compared with other GFSI-recognized schemes;
• a foundation based on Codex Alimentarius documents, which underpin food safety legislation;
• flexibility for integration with other management systems, such as ISO 9001;
• increased confidence among customers and business partners, as well as a genuine competitive advantage in the market.

How can FSSC 22000 certification be obtained?

The FSSC 22000 certification process with SRAC CERT involves auditing the food safety management system against the requirements of the Scheme.

Audit and certification stages

1. Submission of a request for quotation and definition of the certification scope (food products or food packaging).
2. A two-stage certification audit: documentation review and on-site assessment of the implementation of the food safety management system.
3. Resolution of any nonconformities and implementation of corrective actions.
4. Issuance of the FSSC 22000 certificate, valid for 3 years.
5. Annual surveillance audits (announced or unannounced) and a recertification audit at the end of the certification cycle.

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Cost of FSSC 22000 certification

The cost of FSSC 22000 certification depends on the size of the organization, the number of employees, the complexity of its processes, the number of sites and the scope of certification. In addition to the audit cost, an annual fee established by the FSSC Foundation applies for each audit report uploaded to the FSSC portal. To determine the exact cost, the best solution is to request a personalized quotation.

Why SRAC?

SRAC CERT is the first Romanian certification body licensed by the FSSC Foundation (The Foundation for Food Safety System Certification), based in the Netherlands, to perform accredited certification against the FSSC 22000 Scheme (see here). SRAC CERT is accredited by RENAR (certificate no. SMFS 002) for the certification of food safety management systems in accordance with the FSSC 22000 Scheme. Certified organizations are entitled to use SRAC conformity marks for promotional purposes and are informed about developments in the field of certification, as well as relevant courses and events.

Join some of the most important companies and institutions in Romania that have chosen the SRAC brand: over 10,000 certified organizations / over 25,000 certificates awarded in 30 years. From leading brands to major public institutions, major companies have chosen our services. 

Choose the leader in certification – Get certified with SRAC!

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Who is FSSC 22000 intended for?

FSSC 22000 is intended for any organization in the food chain that wishes to demonstrate a high level of food safety. The Scheme is particularly relevant to food manufacturers and food packaging manufacturers, but also to other categories of organizations throughout the food chain. It is especially useful for organizations supplying retailers and customers that require GFSI-recognized certification or for organizations seeking access to international markets.

Frequently asked questions about FSSC 22000 certification

What is FSSC 22000 and who is it intended for?

FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognized food safety management system certification scheme. It is intended for organizations in the food chain, particularly food and food packaging manufacturers, that wish to demonstrate control of food safety risks.

What is the difference between FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000?

 ISO 22000 is the core standard for food safety management systems. FSSC 22000 is a complete scheme that combines ISO 22000 with sector-specific prerequisite programmes and additional requirements established by the Scheme and which, unlike ISO 22000, is recognized by GFSI.

What are the key changes introduced by FSSC 22000 Version 6?

 Version 6 integrated the requirements of ISO 22003-1:2022, strengthened food safety and quality culture, and introduced new provisions regarding quality control, allergen management, environmental monitoring, equipment management and the reduction of food loss.

Has FSSC 22000 Version 7 been published?

Yes. The FSSC Foundation published Version 7 in May 2026. Audits against Version 6 remain valid during the transition period, and organizations will transition to Version 7 within their regular audit cycle, in accordance with the timeline established by the FSSC Foundation.

Does FSSC 22000 also cover food packaging?

Yes. The Scheme includes a scope dedicated to the food safety of packaging, based on specific prerequisite programmes (ISO/TS 22002-4). Food packaging manufacturers can obtain FSSC 22000 certification to demonstrate the conformity of materials that come into contact with food.

How much does FSSC 22000 certification cost?

The cost depends on the size of the organization, the complexity of its processes, the number of sites and the scope of certification. In addition, an annual fee established by the FSSC Foundation applies for audit reports. For an exact price, we recommend requesting a personalized quotation.

How long is an FSSC 22000 certificate valid?

An FSSC 22000 certificate is valid for 3 years, provided that the required annual surveillance audits are successfully completed (which may be announced or unannounced), followed by a recertification audit.

Is FSSC 22000 internationally recognized?

Yes. FSSC 22000 has been globally recognized by GFSI since 2010, making it widely accepted by retailers and major buyers in the food industry worldwide.

What do I need to do to get started?

The first step is to submit a request for quotation to SRAC. You will receive a personalized quotation and the information required to start the FSSC 22000 certification process.

In Romania, control and certification of organic products is performed by private Control bodies (CB’s). They are approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is mandatory preceded by the accreditation performed by an accreditation body (in Romania the national accreditation body is RENAR).
 

Logos used is organic farming
 

EUROPEAN LOGO	NATIONAL LOGO “ae”	SRAC ECO MARK
Manual-de-utilizare-al-logoului-comunitar	Reguli de utilizare a siglei “ae”	Regulation for using mark and certificate of SRAC R-02 ECO e3r1

Why SRAC?

• SRAC is accredited for organic products certification by RENAR – national accreditation body (Certificate no. OR 001)
• SRAC has the approval as a Control Body by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Certificat nr. 237052)
• Technical staff of SRAC has the competence and specialized knowledge, so that inspection and certification activities be performed at the highest professional standards
• SRAC send newsletters by e-mail so that you will be informed on time and continuously regarding the evolution of the organic farming, of the relevant legislation and of the organic certification and regarding the events organized by SRAC.

Useful links

–    Ministerul Agriculturii si dezvoltarii Rurale (MADR)
–    Directii Agricole Judetene
–    Agentia de Plati si Interventii in Agricultura (APIA)
–    Comisia Europeana (CE)
–    National Organic Standard (NOP)
 

Contact

ing. Livia Safta – Responsabil Contractare servicii certificare produse ecologice
mobil: 0760 663 087
e-mail: eco@srac.ro