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The food chain industry is competitive worldwide. If the quality is not met, a company can soon meet its demise. Strong rivalry in this field makes it difficult for small and medium companies to thrive. One of the persisting problems besides quality management is food safety. Apart from the issues of perishable foods, there are hygiene issues. If items are not preserved with premium precautions and tactics, organisations will face backlash. Consequently, their sustainability is in crisis. The ISO 22000 is a global standard that offers the most relevant set of clauses for food safety management. It helps companies regardless of their size to best control hazards related to the safety of their items.

The common question among small companies is “how do I get an ISO certificate for safety management?” From recognising all potential risk factors, to reducing their severity or omitting their occurrences the ISO 22000 offers several benefits to food industry companies. The following blog will discuss the easiest way to meet these standards and be 100% compliant.

1.Understand the ISO 22000 Requirements

The ISO 22000 outlines a set of requirements for implementing an FSMS, such as:

•Establishing a comprehensive food safety policy for the organization.

•Developing procedures to identify and manage food safety hazards.

•Maintaining a communication plan (both internal and external) regarding food safety issues.

•Regularly reviewing and improving the FSMS to ensure it remains effective.

•Conducting internal audits and management reviews.

You can obtain a copy of the ISO 22000 standard from official sources (such as the ISO website or national standards bodies) and review its requirements. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the key components of the standard, which include Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.

2.Conduct a Gap Analysis

Before beginning the certification process, conduct a gap analysis to compare your current food safety management practices against the requirements of the ISO 22000. This will help you identify areas that need improvement or development. If you have an internal quality or food safety team, they can perform this analysis. Alternatively, you can hire an external ISO consultant to assess your current system and identify gaps.

3.Develop and Document the FSMS

You need to establish a structured Food Safety Management System based on the ISO 22000 standard. The FSMS should include:

•Food Safety Policy: A documented food safety policy outlining your organization’s commitment to food safety.

•Objectives: Set measurable food safety objectives, such as reducing food contamination risks or improving process efficiency.

•Hazard Analysis (HACCP): Conduct a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) study to identify potential food safety hazards and implement control measures.

•Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRPs): Establish prerequisite programs to control operational conditions that affect food safety.

•Traceability System: Implement procedures to ensure the traceability of products and materials in the food chain.

•Documented Procedures: Ensure that all processes related to food safety, from receiving materials to delivering the final product, are documented and accessible.

•Training Programs: Train employees on food safety policies, procedures, and the FSMS requirements.

•Monitoring and Corrective Actions: Implement mechanisms for monitoring critical control points (CCPs) and taking corrective actions when necessary.

4.Implement the FSMS

Once the system is documented, implement the FSMS across your organization. This includes:

•Training Employees: Ensure that employees are trained and understand their roles in the food safety management system.

•Monitor and Record Activities: Establish systems for tracking and recording critical data, such as food safety risks, production processes, and CCP monitoring.

•Internal Audits: Conduct regular internal audits to verify that the FSMS is being implemented effectively and in compliance to the ISO 22000.

5.Conduct Internal Audits and Management Reviews

Before applying for certification, perform a series of internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of your FSMS. These audits help ensure that processes comply to the ISO 22000 standards. Also, it determines that the procedures are followed by all employees. It checks if relevant corrective actions are taken where necessary to address non-conformities.

After internal audits, conduct a management review to assess the overall performance of the FSMS. Top management should review the audit results, food safety objectives, corrective actions, and areas for improvement.

6.Select a Certification Body

To achieve the ISO 22000 certification, you need to hire an accredited certification body (also called a registrar). Certification bodies are independent organizations that assess your FSMS against ISO standards.

Criteria for Choosing a Certification Body:

•Accreditation: Ensure the certification body is accredited by a recognized body such as the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) or a national accreditation body.

•Reputation and Experience: Choose a certification body with a strong reputation and experience in certifying FSMS, particularly in your industry.

•Cost: Request quotes from different certification bodies and ensure their fees are within your budget.

•Audit Schedules: Confirm the certification body’s availability and audit schedules.

7.Pre-Certification Audit (Optional)

Many organizations choose to undergo a pre-certification audit or gap audit conducted by the certification body. This audit helps identify any remaining issues or non-conformities before the formal certification audit. The auditor will provide feedback on areas needing improvement, which allows you to make final adjustments before the certification audit.

Certification Audit

The certification audit is typically conducted in two stages:

Stage 1 Audit: Documentation Review – The auditor will review your FSMS documentation to ensure that it meets the ISO 22000 requirements. This includes reviewing policies, procedures, hazard analysis, and monitoring records. The auditor will also assess your readiness for the stage 2 audit.

Stage 2 Audit: On-Site Assessment – The auditor will visit your organization and assess the implementation of your FSMS on-site. They will verify whether food safety procedures are being followed and assess the effectiveness of your food safety controls. The auditor will interview employees, review records, and observe processes in action. If non-conformities are found, you’ll need to address them before certification is granted.

9.Correct Non-Conformities

If the auditor identifies any non-conformities during the certification audit, you will have a specific period (usually a few weeks) to implement corrective actions. Once the non-conformities are resolved, the certification body will issue you receive the ISO 22000 certificate.

10.Receive the ISO 22000 Certification

Once your organization has successfully passed the certification audit and resolved any non-conformities, you will be awarded the ISO 22000 certificate. The certificate is typically valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance.

11.Maintain and Improve the FSMS

After obtaining the ISO 22000 certification, it’s important to continuously maintain and improve your FSMS. Certification bodies typically perform annual surveillance audits to verify ongoing compliance to the ISO 22000. The consultants use the PDCA cycle to continually improve your food safety management system. Regularly update procedures, conduct training, and address any new food safety risks that arise. The management must continue conducting regular internal audits to monitor the effectiveness of the FSMS.

12.Recertification

After the certification period (typically three years), you’ll need to go through a recertification audit to maintain your ISO 22000 certification.

If the question – How do I get an ISO certificate is still on your mind and you need more details, get help from one of Australia’s trusted companies, Compliancehelp. We are a trusted organisation offering bespoke support and to help you be 100% compliant. From understanding the certification procedure to achieving the standard, adept professionals will help you with everything.