ISO 22000 is an international food safety management standard that:

• applies to all stages of the food chain (from primary production to retail),
• fully incorporates the HACCP system,
• includes Prerequisite Programs (PRPs),
• follows the structure of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, facilitating the development of unified, integrated management systems.

ISO 22000 is applicable to all businesses that are directly or indirectly involved in the food chain:

• Producers and processors of food and feed,
• Food and beverage industries,
• Warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation companies,
• Food service units, catering, and mass catering operations,
• Packaging material companies and support service providers,
• Laboratories, cleaning companies, and equipment suppliers.

The certification process includes:

• Evaluation of documentation and PRPs

• Review of policies, procedures, hygiene practices, cleaning, equipment, and facilities

• HACCP assessment

• Verification of hazard analysis, Critical Control Points (CCPs), monitoring, verification procedures, and corrective actions

• Inspection of processes and facilities

• Monitoring of operations, production, storage, and personnel

• Compliance review and certification decision

• Conclusions, identification of any non-conformities, timelines for corrective actions, and issuance of the certificate

What does the consumer gain?

• Safe food
• Transparency
• Trust in the product

✔ What does the business gain?

• Ensured production of safe food,
• Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements governing product safety,
• Readiness to respond to inspections by authorities, customers, etc.,
• Improved productivity and internal processes,
• Added value to offered products/services and enhanced credibility with customers and consumers,
• Competitive advantage in the market through the ability to consistently provide safe food, products, and services,
• Prerequisite for cooperation with major retail chains and export markets,
• Reduction of operational risks and costs related to recalls or failures.