FSSC 22000 launches version 4 of its international food safety and quality management system certification Scheme. Based on the experience in applying version 3 during the past years and the expectations of major stakeholders (among which authorities and industry), FSSC 22000 has effectuated several major changes to improve consistency and stringency.
Some of the key changes include new requirements for:
Ø conducting unannounced audits
Ø introducing critical non-conformities
Ø prevention of intentional product contamination
Ø standardised audit report
Ø transport and storage, food service/catering and retail/wholesale industries
This new release of the Scheme is the result of a 14 month global consultation process with key stakeholders such as representatives from industry, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, training organisations and governments. The overall project was managed by the FSSC 22000 team and guided by its Advisory Committee and Board of Stakeholders. The FSSC Board of Stakeholders has determined that all certified sites, shall be audited against version 4 starting from January 1, 2018.
“The FSSC Certification Scheme continues to support securing food safety certification across the breadth of our supply chain, with the introduction of new scopes that meets urgent certification needs in our supply chain to minimise food safety risk”, Mark Brasler, Director of Food Safety Programs with Coca-Cola.
“Due to the non-profit nature of FSSC 22000 and the keen management on expenses, the certificate fee remains unchanged for the sixth consecutive year.”
