FSSC 22000 Certification V6.0: What you Need to Know

On April 1, 2023, the FSSC 22000 certification V6.0 scheme was published. This version will become operational from April 1, 2024, giving a transition window of 1 year. Starting April 1st, 2025, organizations can undergo audits only with version 6.

The main reasons for the review have been:

• Alignment with ISO 22003-1:2022 (Requirements for bodies providing auditing and certification of food safety management systems)
• Strengthening requirements to support organizations in their contributions to meeting the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
• Editorial changes and amendments, as part of continuous improvement

FSSC 22000 Certification V6.0: New Scopes

The new version increases the number of scopes to give more operators in the food chain the possibility of benefiting from the scheme. These scopes are:

• BIII- Previous handling of plant products: Processing of plant products that do not transform into another product. They include cleaning, washing, sorting, sizing, cooling, waxing, humidifying, aerating, packaging, storing and shipping.
• C0- Primary animal conversion : Processes for converting animal carcasses intended for further processing. It includes stabling, slaughter, gutting, cooling, freezing and storage of carcasses, game meat and fish.
• FII- Broker/Trading/E-commerce: Purchase and sale of products without physical manipulation on one’s own behalf or for third parties.

The A-Livestock scope is no longer in force.

Quality Management: from Optional to Mandatory Requirement

The FSSC-Quality option is removed from the scheme. FSSC-Quality was an option to combine FSSC 22000 with ISO 9001 certification. By integrating quality as a new requirement, quality requirements are no longer an option and become mandatory.

Changes to Certification Requirements

There are some new requirements, some with substantial changes.

FSSC 22000 V6.0: One more Step to Reduce Food Waste

FSSC 22000 V6.0 strengthens the requirements to support organizations in their contribution to meeting the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Among other things, it incorporates a new requirement on food waste. Now, the strategy to fight waste will be reflected in the policy and objectives, while ensuring safe handling of products and feed donated to NGOs.