Last Updated on December 5, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

ISO 22000 vs FSSC 22000 Overview

When companies ask me whether they should pursue ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000, it’s usually because they’re getting mixed messages from customers, auditors, and even internal teams. I’ve helped food manufacturers, packaging suppliers, processors, and cold-chain operators through both certifications for more than a decade, and I’ve noticed a pattern: most people assume these two standards are interchangeable. They aren’t.

The real question you’re trying to answer is this: Which certification actually meets your business and customer requirements—without adding unnecessary workload or cost?

In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences, share what I’ve seen in real audits, and show you exactly when ISO 22000 is enough and when FSSC 22000 becomes non-negotiable. By the time you finish, you’ll have a clear decision path based on scope, PRPs, audit expectations, documentation, and buyer demands.

ISO 22000 Requirements Explained — What the FSMS Standard Really Covers

Here’s what I’ve noticed when walking companies through ISO 22000: it gives you a strong food safety management foundation, but it intentionally stays flexible. The standard focuses on the PDCA cycle, Codex HACCP, communication, traceability, and operational controls. It tells you what to achieve but not always how to build the practical pieces.

That flexibility is great for organizations with a mature HACCP culture. It becomes challenging for teams that need detailed, industry-specific guidance.

Pro Tip: ISO 22000 is ideal when you want a global FSMS structure but don’t have customer pressure for a GFSI-recognized scheme.

Common mistake: Many businesses assume ISO 22000 automatically satisfies retailer requirements. It doesn’t. Without GFSI recognition, some buyers won’t accept it.

Quick example: I once supported a dairy plant that proudly passed ISO 22000. A month later, a major retailer rejected them because the plant wasn’t certified to a GFSI benchmarked scheme. That’s when the switch to FSSC 22000 became unavoidable.

FSSC 22000 Requirements Explained — Why It Includes More Than ISO 22000

FSSC 22000 builds directly on ISO 22000, but it adds two major components: sector-specific PRP standards (like ISO/TS 22002-1) and additional scheme requirements. This is where the detail comes in—everything from construction hygiene to allergen controls to environmental monitoring must meet explicit criteria.

In my experience, companies are often surprised by how detailed the PRPs truly are. They go beyond “you should have good sanitation practices” and lean into specifics, audits, and verification steps.

Pro Tip: If your customers expect GFSI recognition—or you’re supplying multinational retailers—FSSC 22000 is almost always required.

Common mistake: Treating FSSC as “ISO 22000 plus a few extra pages.” It’s not. The PRP requirements easily double the implementation workload.

Client example: A beverage facility I worked with thought their PRPs were solid. When we mapped them to ISO/TS 22002-1, they realized half the requirements weren’t formally documented or validated. The gap was bigger than expected, but once fixed, their operations became far more consistent.

ISO 22000 vs FSSC 22000 Key Differences — Certification Scope, PRPs, and GFSI Recognition

Once you compare both standards side by side, the differences become obvious. ISO 22000 gives you the management system. FSSC 22000 gives you the management system plus rigorous operational controls, specific PRPs, and additional scheme rules—all backed by GFSI.

This is important because many global buyers won’t work with suppliers unless they’re certified to a GFSI-recognized standard. FSSC checks that box.

Key comparison points:

• ISO 22000 isn’t GFSI-benchmarked; FSSC 22000 is.
• FSSC requires ISO/TS 22002-x PRPs; ISO 22000 doesn’t specify PRP details.
• FSSC has stricter audit rules, including unannounced audits.
• FSSC requires more documentation, more validation, and deeper operational controls.

Pro Tip: If you’re exporting to EU or UK retail chains, expect FSSC 22000 to be mandatory.

Common mistake: Implementing ISO 22000 first, then realizing you must redo half the system to meet FSSC requirements.

Real example: A bakery aiming to supply UK supermarkets initially chose ISO 22000. During negotiations, every retailer on their list required FSSC 22000 instead. They had to upgrade, costing time and resources they could have planned for earlier.

Audit & Certification Differences — ISO 22000 vs FSSC 22000 Audit Process

The audit experience is where companies feel the difference most clearly.

ISO 22000 follows the classic Stage 1, Stage 2, and annual surveillance structure. It’s predictable, structured, and focused on the management system.

FSSC 22000 goes deeper. Auditors spend more time on the production floor, checking PRPs, infrastructure, sanitation, allergen control, environmental monitoring, and operational discipline. There’s also the unannounced audit cycle, which requires your team to be audit-ready every day, not just for planned dates.

Pro Tip: Train your operators early. FSSC auditors interview frontline staff more rigorously.

Common mistake: Relying too heavily on the quality manager. FSSC expects strong operational ownership, not just paperwork compliance.

Real-world note: I remember a facility that passed ISO 22000 easily but struggled with FSSC because operators weren’t prepared for direct questioning. Once we trained the team on why each requirement mattered, audit outcomes improved immediately.

Cost & Resource Differences — ISO 22000 Certification Cost vs FSSC 22000 Cost

Cost differences usually come down to one thing: scope. ISO 22000 requires fewer audit days and less PRP depth. FSSC requires additional scheme rules, more documentation, more validation, and more auditor time.

This means higher certification fees and higher internal resource needs. It also means stronger risk control and better customer acceptance.

Typical factors affecting cost:

• Number of audit days
• Internal staff time
• PRP upgrades (sometimes facility infrastructure)
• Training and internal audits

Pro Tip: If your team already maintains strong PRPs, transitioning to FSSC is less expensive than starting from scratch.

Common mistake: Budgeting only for the audit fee and forgetting about PRP improvement costs.

Example: A frozen-food company I worked with budgeted for ISO 22000 pricing but shifted to FSSC when customers required it. They hadn’t accounted for the environmental monitoring upgrades that FSSC mandates.

Which One Should You Choose? ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 — Practical Decision Criteria

Now that we covered the components, let’s tackle the real decision: which standard fits your needs?

If your customers don’t require GFSI recognition and you want a flexible FSMS, ISO 22000 works well. If you’re selling to large retailers, export markets, or brand-sensitive sectors, FSSC 22000 is often the only acceptable option.

Here’s how I typically help clients decide:

• Look at customer requirements.
• Check retailer approval lists.
• Assess PRP maturity.
• Evaluate internal resources.
• Consider long-term business goals.

Pro Tip: If your HACCP system is strong and PRPs are already documented, moving to FSSC is easier than most teams expect.

Common mistake: Choosing ISO 22000 first “because it’s easier,” then upgrading later. That usually leads to duplicated effort.

Quick example: A meat-processing plant lost a major contract because they didn’t hold FSSC 22000. The upgrade became urgent—and far more stressful than it needed to be.

FAQs

FAQ 1: Is ISO 22000 enough for international food-safety compliance?

ISO 22000 is globally recognized but not GFSI-benchmarked. Some markets accept it, but many retailers and brands demand a GFSI scheme like FSSC 22000. It depends on your customer base.

FAQ 2: Do I need additional PRPs if I already follow ISO 22000?

Yes. FSSC requires sector-specific PRPs such as ISO/TS 22002-1, which go into far greater detail than ISO 22000 alone.

FAQ 3: How long does it take to upgrade from ISO 22000 to FSSC 22000?

Most companies take 2–6 months, depending on the maturity of their PRPs, documentation, and internal readiness.

Conclusion — Summary, Credibility, and Next Step

Choosing between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 comes down to understanding your customers, your operational maturity, and your long-term goals. ISO 22000 gives you the FSMS foundation. FSSC 22000 adds the rigor, PRPs, and GFSI recognition that many global buyers expect.

I’ve helped companies go through both certifications, and the best outcomes always happen when the choice aligns with business strategy—not just audit convenience.

If you want a clearer plan or ready-to-use documentation to speed up your FSMS or FSSC 22000 project, I can prepare templates, toolkits, or a full implementation roadmap for your team.