Last Updated on December 12, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Understanding ISO 22000 Certification-Body Pricing with Expert Guidance

Here’s what I’ve noticed over the years: when a company reaches out about ISO 22000, pricing is usually the first topic they want clarity on. Not the requirements. Not the HACCP plan. Not even the audit timeline. It’s always, “Why does one certification body quote $6,000 and another quotes $14,000 for the same size company?”

I get it. ISO 22000 pricing often feels inconsistent because every certification body uses a slightly different formula, even though they’re all following the same accreditation rules.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how pricing really works behind the scenes. You’ll see:

• What drives ISO 22000 certification-body fees.
• Why two quotes for the same site can look nothing alike.
• Where businesses accidentally increase their own audit price.
• How to choose the right certification body without overpaying.

And just to set the tone—after working with food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and packaging companies in more than 20 countries, I’ve seen the full spectrum of pricing practices. What you’ll read here is exactly what I explain to clients during scoping meetings.

Now that the groundwork is set, let’s break things down piece by piece.

How Certification Bodies Calculate ISO 22000 Audit Costs (Man-Days, Scope, and Risk Factors)

Whenever a certification body prepares a quote, they start with one thing: man-days. It’s the foundation of ISO and IAF pricing rules.

Here’s how they arrive at those numbers:

• They look at your employee count.
• They evaluate your processes and complexity.
• They assess your HACCP risk category.
• They consider whether you’re single-site or multisite.

In my experience, most companies don’t realize how much their declared scope affects this calculation. One client, a mid-size bakery, initially listed every product variation they’d ever made. Once we narrowed the scope to primary categories, the man-day requirement dropped by 25%. Same business. Better-defined scope. Lower cost.

Pro Tip: Keep your scope tight. Don’t list every possible activity unless it’s actually part of your regular operations.

Common Mistake: Overdeclaring processes—especially ones you rarely perform. Certification bodies can’t reduce man-days once your scope looks complex on paper.

This section alone can save an organization thousands of dollars if handled correctly.

Breakdown of ISO 22000 Certification Fees (Application, Stage 1, Stage 2, Surveillance, Recertification)

Let’s walk through what you’re actually paying for, because ISO 22000 quotes usually include multiple fee categories:

Application Fee
Covers admin tasks, contract preparation, and eligibility checks.

Stage 1 Audit Fee
This is your documentation review. It’s often misunderstood as a “quick visit.” It isn’t. A weak Stage 1 sets you up for an expensive Stage 2.

Stage 2 Audit Fee
This is the real audit—process walkthroughs, HACCP verification, interviews, and evidence reviews.

Surveillance Fees (Year 1 & Year 2)
These audits confirm your system remains effective.

Recertification Fee (Year 3)
A deeper audit that renews your certification cycle.

Some certification bodies also add:

• Travel expenses
• Report-writing fees
• Accreditation-body fees
• Scheme-management fees

Pro Tip: Always request a line-item quote. When certification bodies bundle everything, it’s harder to see exactly what you’re paying for.

Common Mistake: Assuming Stage 1 is optional or light. I’ve seen businesses underestimate this phase and end up paying for extra audit days later.

What Drives Price Differences Between Certification Bodies (Accreditation, Expertise, Sector Experience)

If you’ve collected several ISO 22000 quotes, you’ve probably noticed the wide price range. It’s not random. Certification bodies differ in:

• Accreditation scope
• Auditor qualifications
• Industry specialization
• Travel cost structure
• Availability and scheduling
• Global recognition

A quick anecdote: A client in dairy processing once chose a certification body with higher fees because the auditor had deep experience in thermal processing. They told me later the decision paid off—fewer corrective actions, smoother audit flow, and quicker certification.

Pro Tip: A cheaper quote often means a less experienced auditor. That might save money upfront but create delays and unexpected corrective actions.

Common Mistake: Choosing a certification body based solely on price.

Think of it the same way you think about choosing a doctor—you want the right specialist, not just the cheapest one.

How to Reduce ISO 22000 Certification Costs (Without Cutting Corners)

You can absolutely reduce cost without compromising quality. It all comes down to preparation.

Here’s what moves the needle:

• Clean, well-organized documentation.
• A solid HACCP plan with clear controls.
• A complete internal audit and management review.
• Eliminating unnecessary processes from your scope.
• Using remote auditing where applicable.
• Consolidating sites for multi-site sampling.

One thing I always tell clients: the more ready you are, the fewer surprises during Stage 2. Surprises lead to additional days. Additional days lead to additional cost.

Common Mistake: Trying to reduce cost by hiding complexity or avoiding certain disclosures. Auditors uncover everything during Stage 2, and that often leads to revised pricing—or worse, delays.

Being transparent actually reduces your cost.

ISO 22000 Pricing Ranges: What You Should Expect to Pay (Small, Medium, Large Organizations)

While pricing varies by country and certification body, here’s a realistic global range:

Small Businesses (1–25 employees)
Approx. $4,000–$8,000 for certification and first cycle.

Medium Businesses (26–150 employees)
Approx. $7,000–$14,000 depending on processes and risk.

Large or Multi-Site Organizations
$15,000–$40,000+ depending on scope, complexity, and the number of sites.

These are broad benchmarks—but they’re useful when you want to sanity-check a quote.

Pro Tip: Gather at least three quotes. You’ll quickly see which ones fall outside the normal range.

This is important because it prevents you from overpaying simply due to market unfamiliarity.

How to Choose the Right ISO 22000 Certification Body Based on Pricing and Value

Choosing your certification body is about value, not just cost.

Here’s a simple framework I recommend:

1. Accreditation: Make sure they’re recognized nationally or internationally.
2. Expertise: Do they audit your industry regularly?
3. Audit Style: Are they collaborative or overly aggressive?
4. Pricing: Does the quote feel transparent and reasonable?

A real example: A food-distribution client once selected a low-cost certification body that looked attractive at first. Six months later, they learned the CB wasn’t accepted by a major retail chain. They had to switch bodies—and pay again.

The cheapest option ultimately became the most expensive.

FAQs: ISO 22000 Certification-Body Pricing

Is ISO 22000 pricing standardized worldwide?

Not really. Accreditation rules are consistent, but market rates, auditor availability, and travel costs vary widely from country to country.

Can I negotiate the price of ISO 22000 certification?

Yes. Multi-site clients, long-term agreements, or bundled audits (like ISO 22000 + ISO 9001) often get discounted.

What’s the biggest hidden cost to watch out for?

Extra audit days due to poor readiness. Many businesses don’t factor this in, and it can significantly increase the final bill.

Conclusion: Your Clear Path to Fair and Transparent ISO 22000 Certification Pricing

Here’s the bottom line: ISO 22000 certification pricing becomes far less confusing once you understand how man-days, scope, and auditor expertise influence the quote. When you’re prepared, transparent, and strategic about selecting your certification body, you avoid unnecessary costs and delays.

After years of guiding companies through certification planning and cost benchmarking, I can tell you confidently—pricing doesn’t have to be a mystery.

If you want clarity on your expected audit days or need help preparing for certification, I’m here to guide you step-by-step.