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News

Final few months for FSSC 22000 V5 Migration

Sep. 15 2020

Time is running out for businesses in the food supply chain to complete upgrade audits to FSSC 22000 V5 and maintain their Food Safety System Certification to the updated standard by 31st December 2020.

FSSC 22000 is a certification scheme for food industry, based on existing certification standard ISO 22000 and technical specifications for Pre-requisite Programmes (PRPs).

Owned by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification, this international benchmark scheme is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and uses a process-based approach to effectively control internal processes, minimise food risks and increase consumer confidence in food.

Version 5 of the standard was published in May 2019 and a 12-month upgrade process began on 1st January 2020 for all certified organisations to maintain compliance with GFSI requirements.

However, despite the disruption caused by COVID-19 this year, FSSC has said that the 31st December deadline will not be extended and all V4.1 certificates will become invalid after 29th June 2021.

Maribel Pena, Technical Manager for Certification at Bureau Veritas, said: “There are less than four months now until the end of the year, and any organisation which has not scheduled its upgrade audit must take action to do so.

“Food safety and quality remains of paramount importance, especially in the current climate where hygiene has become increasingly important throughout the supply chain.

“With stringent legislation and serious risk of financial or reputational damage for those who fail to meet the required standards, it is perhaps more important than ever to achieve and maintain compliance with a recognised food safety standard. But failure to take action now could leave certificates invalid.”

Book your audit today

To book your upgrade audit and maintain validity of your FSSC 22000 certification, contact our Certification team.