01
Map acceptance across markets
List the schemes named by retailers, manufacturers, distributors, importers, and contract partners in every target country. A technically valid certificate only creates commercial value when the customer recognises the scheme and the certified scope covers the supplied activity.
- Verify customer and tender certification language
- Confirm legal entities, sites, categories, products, and processes
- Review contract manufacturing, storage, transport, and packaging interfaces
- Account for export and private-label programme requirements
02
Use one operational food-safety core
Hazard analysis, PRPs, traceability, suppliers, monitoring, verification, withdrawal, incidents, corrective action, internal audit, and management review should operate as one system. Scheme-specific requirements should extend that core rather than create a second set of records.
03
Prepare for FSSC Version 7 deliberately
Version 7 was released in May 2026. FSSC permits Version 6 audits until 30 April 2027 and schedules Version 7 upgrades from 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2028. Certification-body planning should be combined with an early operational gap review.
- Assess Version 7 requirements and category-specific applicability
- Align PRPs, food-safety culture, quality and equipment controls where applicable
- Complete internal assurance before the upgrade audit
- Keep customer and certificate-status communications controlled
Frequently asked questions
Does FSSC 22000 replace ISO 22000?
No. ISO 22000 is one of the normative foundations of FSSC 22000, alongside applicable prerequisite-programme requirements and FSSC scheme requirements.
Does either certificate prove EU food-law compliance?
No. Certification can provide independent management-system assurance, but each organisation remains responsible for identifying and meeting applicable EU and national food-law obligations.
Can a system be designed for ISO 22000 now and FSSC later?
Yes. The architecture can be designed around ISO 22000 while incorporating the relevant PRPs and future scheme requirements, provided the intended category and customer route are clear.
Primary sources