An international standard for food safety management systems that combines HACCP principles with a structured management framework.
An international standard for food safety management systems that combines HACCP principles with a structured management framework. ISO 22000 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization that specifies the requirements for a food safety management system. It is designed to apply to any organisation in the food chain, from primary producers and manufacturers to transport, storage and food-service operators. The standard brings together interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programs and HACCP principles within a management-system structure. It shares the common high-level structure used by other ISO management-system standards, which makes it easier to integrate with quality standards such as ISO 9001. An Australian business pursuing ISO 22000 documents its food safety management system, identifies and controls hazards using HACCP principles, sets prerequisite programs, and establishes monitoring, verification and continual-improvement processes. Certification is issued by an accredited certification body after an audit, not by ISO itself. ISO 22000 is often chosen by businesses that trade internationally or want a recognisable framework, and it can be a stepping stone toward, or combined with, schemes benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative such as FSSC 22000, which builds on ISO 22000. It complements rather than replaces the mandatory Australian Food Standards Code obligations. A Melbourne beverage manufacturer that exports to Asia implements ISO 22000 to give overseas customers a recognised food safety management framework, then undergoes an audit by an accredited certification body to gain the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISO 22000 a legal requirement in Australia?
No. It is a voluntary international standard. Australian food businesses must still comply with the mandatory Food Standards Code regardless of whether they hold ISO 22000.
Does ISO 22000 include HACCP?
Yes. ISO 22000 incorporates HACCP principles within a broader food safety management system framework.
Who certifies a business to ISO 22000?
An accredited third-party certification body carries out the audit and issues the certificate; ISO writes the standard but does not certify businesses.
How does ISO 22000 relate to FSSC 22000?
FSSC 22000 is a certification scheme that builds on ISO 22000 together with sector-specific prerequisite requirements and is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative.
Can ISO 22000 integrate with other management standards?
Yes. It uses the common ISO high-level structure, making it easier to integrate with standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management.
