The FSSC 22000 Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The FSSC 22000 Scheme is based on the International Standard ISO 22000-Requirements for any organisation in the food chain, industry-specific Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) based on technical specifications (i.e. ISO/TS 22002-x), and the FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements as determined by the Foundation.

Licenced copies of the ISO 22000 Standard and relevant PRPs (i.e. ISO/TS 22002-x) can be purchased online from standards organisations such as Standards Australia (www.standards.org.au). The FSSC 22000 Scheme documents are available for free on the Foundation's website (www.fssc22000.com).

ISO 22000 forms part of the FSSC 22000 Scheme and Companies can therefore easily transition to FSSC at their next ISO 22000 Audit. The Transition Audit requires the same audit duration as a Triennial Audit and will result in a new FSSC 22000 certificate with a 3 years validity upon successful completion of the audit.

The FSSC 22000 audit automatically covers ISO 22000, there is no additional audit time required if a company wishes to maintain its ISO 22000 certification. A separate ISO 22000 certificate can be issued for a small certificate fee.

• The FSSC 22000 Scheme is approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Major supermarkets and food manufacturers require their suppliers to be certified against a GFSI approved Standard.
• It is based on ISO Standards, sector-specific technical specifications for PRPs, market-driven additional requirements as well as statutory and regulatory requirements
• FSSC 22000 is very popular in Europe and is now gaining more popularity in Asian countries with an increasing demand for FSSC certified suppliers for export.
• FSSC 22000 covers Food Fraud and Food Defence, which is gaining more focus based on recent incidents.
• FSSC allows integration with other management system standards such as quality, environmental, workplace safety, etc.
• FSSC increases transparency throughout the food chain supply.
• It is governed by a non-profit Foundation and managed by an independent Board of Stakeholders.

• Food manufacturing*
• Production of bio-chemicals*
• Production of food packaging and packaging materials*
• Farming of animals
• Animal feed production
• Catering
• Retail/Wholesale
• Storage & Transport

Please note: TQCSI provides certification only to the industries marked up above with an asterick.

• Following initial certification, the FSSC 22000 Scheme requires 12 monthly audits.
• The certificate is valid for three years and each certification cycle consists of two Surveillance Audits to assess continued compliance with the Scheme and a Triennial Audit for recertification.

Only one of the two Surveillance Audits each certification cycle is required to be unannounced. However, clients can opt for more unannounced audits if they wish.

A register of FSSC certified organisations is available on the Foundation’s website.

TQCSI provides auditing of integrated management systems. Rather than having separate audits for each management system (i.e. quality, food safety, environmental, etc.), TQCSI can audit all management systems in one audit. This saving on audit duration, costs and resources.

TQCSI has its Head Office in Adelaide, ensuring the use of local auditors within SA detailed audit reports clearly identifying any findings raised.