This scheme uses the international and independent standards of ISO 22000, technical specifications for sector PRPs, and additional scheme requirements. There are 3 components of FSSC 22000:

• ISO 22000 – Provides common framework across supply chain to manage requirements, communication and control improvement of the system.
• PRPs – Sector specific pre-requisite programs (ISO/TS 22002/BSI PAS).
• FSSC 22000 – Adds specific requirements to ensure consistency, integrity, governance and management of the scheme.

The documented information required include

• • food safety policy
  • hazard control plan
  • FSMS or management manual
  • procedures & forms
  • monitoring food safety objectives and targets
  • food defence plan
  • food fraud vulnerability plan
  • emergency plan
  • allergen management plan
  • records for PRP, OPRP & CCP monitoring, verification and updating
  • registers for non-conformances and corrective action
  • records of internal audit and management review

The certification process involves the following steps:

• A preliminary self-assessment by the organization against the requirements of the FSSC 22000 scheme;
• Based on the self-assessment, the organization to address nonconformities;
• Select a certification body accredited against ISO/IEC 17021 & ISO 22003 and the relevant Accreditation Body must be signatory with IAF/MLA;
• CB conduct initial certification audit in two stages;
• Based on findings of audit, an audit report is prepared by the audit team;
• Organization to resolve nonconformities, if any raised by the audit team;
• CB takes decision for issuance of FSSC 22000 certification with a validity of three years;
• Continuity of certification depends on satisfactory performance during surveillance audits and recertification audit.