Category / Standard

ISO 22000: complete guide, articles and resources

Food Safety Management — expert articles, practical resources, and solutions to structure your certification project.

Version
ISO 22000:2018
Type
Certifiable standard
Articles
14 published
Definition

What is the ISO 22000 standard?

The ISO 22000 standard defines the requirements of a food safety management system (FSMS) applicable to any organisation in the food supply chain. Revised in 2018, it integrates the principles of HACCP with a process management approach.

The standard combines the High Level Structure (Annex SL), the HACCP principles, and prerequisite programmes (PRPs). It applies to the entire food chain, from primary production to retail, including manufacturers, packaging, transport, storage, food service, and equipment suppliers.

ISO 22000 is the foundation for GFSI-recognised schemes such as FSSC 22000 (FSSC 22000 = ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002 + FSSC additional requirements). It is also widely required as a standalone certification by international food buyers.

Who is ISO 22000 for?

The standard targets all organisations in the food chain: food and beverage manufacturers, food packaging producers, agricultural producers, transport and storage providers, food service, retail, and equipment manufacturers for the food industry.

Why get certified?

ISO 22000 certification helps to structure food safety governance, access international markets (especially when paired with FSSC 22000), respond to customer audits, reduce food safety incidents, and strengthen consumer trust.

Version
ISO 22000:2018
Certified
40,000+
Validity
3 years
Avg. timeline
6 to 12 months
Articles & guides

All our articles on ISO 22000

1 2
Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about ISO 22000

Difference between ISO 22000 and HACCP?
HACCP is a hazard analysis methodology (7 principles). ISO 22000 is a complete food safety management system that incorporates HACCP plus a process approach, leadership, planning, support, and continual improvement. HACCP is mandatory in most jurisdictions; ISO 22000 is voluntary and structures the broader management system.
Difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000?
ISO 22000 is a standalone certifiable standard. FSSC 22000 = ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002 prerequisite programmes + FSSC additional requirements (food defense, food fraud, allergens, etc.). FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognised; ISO 22000 alone is not.
How much does ISO 22000 certification cost?
For an SME food manufacturer, expect $6,000 to $20,000 for the initial audit. Internal costs (PRPs, training, equipment upgrades) can be significantly higher.
How long does ISO 22000 certification take?
Expect 6 to 12 months. Duration depends on starting maturity (HACCP already in place or not) and the scale of operations.
Should I go straight to FSSC 22000?
If your customers are major retailers or food brands requiring GFSI recognition (Walmart, Kroger, Costco, Aldi, Tesco), go directly to FSSC 22000. If you serve smaller customers or are building maturity step by step, ISO 22000 alone is a strong starting point.
Related standards

Connected references

ISO 22000 is often deployed alongside other standards to build an integrated management system.

FSSC 22000
GFSI-Recognised Food Safety Scheme
BRCGS
Global Standard for Food Safety
IFS Food
International Featured Standards — Food
HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
ISO 22716
Cosmetics GMP
ISO 9001
Quality Management

Ready to start your ISO 22000 project?

Download the documentation kit or speak with a consultant during a free 30-minute consultation.

Get the Kit Book 30 min