FSSC 22000
GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety management systems
ISO 17025
International standard for testing and calibration laboratory competence.
Quick Verdict
FSSC 22000 certifies food safety management for food chain organizations, ensuring PRPs and hazard controls. ISO 17025 accredits testing labs for competent, impartial results. Companies adopt FSSC for supply chain trust; ISO 17025 for result credibility and regulatory acceptance.
FSSC 22000
Food Safety System Certification 22000
Key Features
- GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme combining ISO 22000 and PRPs
- Sector-specific PRPs for food chain categories B-K
- Additional Requirements addressing food defense and fraud
- PDCA management system with leadership culture objectives
- Public register ensuring global supply chain transparency
ISO 17025
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for testing and calibration laboratories
Key Features
- Impartiality and confidentiality as core general requirements
- Metrological traceability and measurement uncertainty evaluation
- Personnel competence lifecycle management
- Risk-based thinking integrated throughout
- Accreditation options A/B with global ILAC recognition
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
FSSC 22000 Details
What It Is
FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It applies across food chain categories like manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. The primary purpose is ensuring safe food through ISO 22000:2018 integrated with sector PRPs and additional requirements, using a risk-based PDCA approach.
Key Components
- **Three pillarsISO 22000 clauses 4-10, sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-1), FSSC Additional Requirements (18 total in Version 6).
- Covers hazard analysis, PRPs, food defense/fraud, allergens, culture, quality control.
- Built on HACCP principles within management system framework.
- Certification via licensed bodies with audit cycles.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets retailer mandates, enables global trade.
- Reduces recalls, enhances supply chain trust.
- Manages risks like adulteration, supports SDGs.
- Builds reputation via public register.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, FSMS design, training, audits.
- Applies to all sizes in food sectors worldwide.
- Requires Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance.
ISO 17025 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is the international standard titled General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. It is an accreditation framework focused on ensuring laboratories produce technically valid, impartial, and consistent results. The standard employs a risk-based, performance-oriented approach, restructuring from prior editions to emphasize general, structural, resource, process, and management system requirements.
Key Components
- Eight core elements: general (impartiality/confidentiality), structural, resources (personnel, facilities, equipment, traceability), processes (methods, sampling, uncertainty, reporting), and management systems (Option A standalone or Option B with ISO 9001).
- Over 100 clauses covering competence lifecycle, metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty, and continual improvement.
- Built on principles of objectivity, validity, and risk thinking; leads to scope-specific accreditation by bodies like ILAC signatories.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enables market access, regulatory acceptance, and stakeholder trust in results.
- Mitigates risks of invalid data impacting safety, compliance, and trade.
- Provides competitive edge via global recognition and operational efficiency.
Implementation Overview
- Phased PDCA approach: gap analysis, documentation, training, validation, audits.
- Applies to labs of all sizes in testing/calibration; requires witnessed assessments for accreditation.
Key Differences
| Aspect | FSSC 22000 | ISO 17025 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety management systems across food chain | Laboratory competence for testing/calibration |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, packaging, logistics, global | Testing/calibration labs, all industries, global |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme, voluntary | Accreditation standard for lab competence, voluntary |
| Testing | CB audits, surveillance/recertification, PRP verification | AB assessments, proficiency testing, witnessed activities |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market exclusion | Loss of accreditation, result non-acceptance |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about FSSC 22000 and ISO 17025
FSSC 22000 FAQ
ISO 17025 FAQ
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