What is the primary objective of **FSSC 22000**?

**FSSC 22000's primary objective is to provide independent third-party certification of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) ensuring organizations deliver safe food across food chain categories.** It combines **ISO 22000:2018**, sector-specific **PRPs** (e.g., **ISO/TS 22002-1** for manufacturing), and **FSSC Additional Requirements** like food defense and allergen management. The scheme, governed by Foundation FSSC and benchmarked by GFSI since 2010, maintains a public register of 40,059 certified sites for supply-chain trust.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **FSSC 22000**?

**No organizations are legally required to comply with FSSC 22000, as it is a voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme.** Professionally, it is demanded by retailers, manufacturers, and foodservice operators for suppliers in categories B–K (e.g., food manufacturing C, packaging I, transport G). Certification enables market access, with 134 licensed Certification Bodies worldwide supporting compliance for primary handling, production, and logistics.

Does **FSSC 22000** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, FSSC 22000 mandates external audits and third-party certification by licensed Certification Bodies accredited per ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO 22003-1:2022.** Initial certification includes Stage 1 (readiness) and Stage 2 (implementation), with annual surveillance and triennial recertification. Audits allocate ≥50% time to operational PRPs, controls, and traceability.

How often should an assessment for **FSSC 22000** be performed?

**FSSC 22000 requires annual surveillance audits and full recertification every three years by licensed Certification Bodies.** Internal audits must cover the full FSMS, PRPs, and Additional Requirements at least annually, with management reviews incorporating performance data. Certified sites notify CBs within **three working days** of serious events impacting FSMS integrity.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **FSSC 22000**?

**Non-compliance with FSSC 22000 results in nonconformities, certificate suspension, or withdrawal by the Certification Body.** Severe issues trigger BoS reviews under the Integrity Program; repeated failures lead to delisting from the public register, loss of GFSI recognition, market exclusion, and potential recalls or regulatory actions due to underlying FSMS gaps.

An **FSSC 22000** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, FSSC 22000's ISO 22000:2018 base enables mapping to other ISO management systems like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.** Its harmonized structure supports integration of shared processes (e.g., internal audits, management review), while PRPs and Additional Requirements align with GFSI schemes, reducing duplication in multi-standard environments.

What is the first step to begin implementing **FSSC 22000**?

**The first step to implement FSSC 22000 is to define the certification scope per ISO 22003-1:2022 categories (e.g., C for manufacturing) and conduct a gap analysis against ISO 22000:2018, applicable PRPs, and Additional Requirements.** Secure executive commitment via a Top Management meeting, then download free Scheme documents from Foundation FSSC for planning.

What is the primary objective of **SAMA CSF**?

**The primary objective of SAMA CSF is to create a common approach for addressing cybersecurity across Member Organizations, achieve an appropriate maturity level of cybersecurity controls, and ensure cybersecurity risks are properly managed.** Version 1.0 (May 2017) structures this across four domains—Cyber Security Leadership and Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, Operations and Technology, and Third Party Cyber Security—using a six-level maturity model targeting at least Level 3 (Structured and formalized), with principles, objectives, and control considerations for all information assets.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **SAMA CSF**?

**SAMA CSF is mandatory for all SAMA-regulated financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, including banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, financing companies, credit bureaus, and financial market infrastructure providers.** All domains apply fully to banks; non-banks have tailored exceptions (e.g., excluding payment systems unless handling cardholder data or SWIFT). Boards, senior management, CISOs, and compliance teams bear accountability, with secondary application recommended for third-party providers enabling customer compliance.

Does **SAMA CSF** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**No, SAMA CSF does not require external audit or third-party certification; compliance is demonstrated through periodic self-assessments using SAMA-provided questionnaires and subject to SAMA supervisory review and audits.** Internal audits must be conducted independently per accepted standards, with evidence of maturity Level 3+ (policies, standards, procedures, KPIs) maintained for SAMA inspections; waivers for controls require formal SAMA approval.

How often should an assessment for **SAMA CSF** be performed?

**SAMA CSF requires periodic self-assessments using SAMA questionnaires to evaluate maturity levels and control effectiveness across domains.** Assessments occur regularly for benchmarking and SAMA review, with annual cyber security reviews and penetration testing mandated for critical and internet-facing assets; risk assessments trigger on projects, changes, outsourcing, or new products, supporting continuous monitoring at Levels 4-5 via KRIs.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **SAMA CSF**?

**Non-compliance with SAMA CSF triggers regulatory enforcement actions by SAMA, including supervisory scrutiny, remediation demands, mandated audits, and potential operational restrictions.** As a mandatory framework, violations fall under broader banking laws, risking formal actions, elevated oversight, financial/operational impacts from incidents, and reputational damage; SAMA expects minimum Maturity Level 3, with incomplete implementation prompting intervention.

An **SAMA CSF** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, SAMA CSF is explicitly designed for mapping to international frameworks like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and SWIFT CSCF, enabling integrated compliance.** Its principle-based structure aligns domains to NIST functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) and ISO 27001 ISMS elements, with direct references (e.g., PCI-DSS for card data); institutions leverage these for shared controls, risk processes, and maturity models without official SAMA cross-mapping tables.

What is the first step to begin implementing **SAMA CSF**?

**The first step to implement SAMA CSF is to secure Board and Senior Management sponsorship, establish governance (e.g., Cyber Security Committee, CISO appointment), and conduct a control-level gap analysis against the framework's maturity model.** Phase 1 (Initiation) includes asset inventory, baseline maturity assessment (targeting Level 3+), and gap register production to prioritize remediation across domains.

FSSC 22000 vs SAMA CSF

Standards Comparison

FSSC 22000

Voluntary

2023

GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme for food safety management systems

SAMA CSF

Mandatory

2017

Saudi regulatory framework for financial cybersecurity

Quick Verdict

FSSC 22000 delivers GFSI-recognized food safety certification for global food chains, while SAMA CSF mandates cybersecurity maturity for Saudi financial firms. Food companies adopt FSSC for market access; banks use SAMA to avoid fines and ensure resilience.

Food Safety

FSSC 22000

Food Safety System Certification 22000 Version 6

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

GFSI-benchmarked certification integrating ISO 22000 and PRPs
Mandatory food defense and food fraud vulnerability assessments
Sector-specific PRPs like ISO/TS 22002 series by category
Additional requirements for culture, allergens, and equipment management
Structured audits with 50% operational time allocation

Cybersecurity

SAMA CSF

SAMA Cyber Security Framework Version 1.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Six-level maturity model targeting Level 3 minimum
Four core domains with detailed subdomains
Board and CISO governance requirements
Risk-based principle-oriented controls
Third-party risk management mandates

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 Version 6.0) 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 to ensure safe food via independent third-party audits. It uses a PDCA-based, risk-focused approach from ISO 22000:2018.

Key Components

**Three pillarsISO 22000:2018 clauses 4-10, sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-1 for manufacturing), FSSC Additional Requirements (18 items like food defense, allergens, culture).
Over 100 requirements integrated into auditable framework.
Built on HACCP principles with OPRPs/CCPs.
Certification via licensed bodies per ISO 22003-1:2022.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer mandates for market access.
Reduces recalls, enhances supply chain trust.
Manages risks like fraud, defense, allergens.
Builds reputation via public register (40,000+ sites).
Aligns with SDGs for sustainability.

Implementation Overview

Phased gap analysis, PRP/HACCP development, training, audits. Suits all sizes/industries globally. Requires Stage 1/2 certification audits, annual surveillance.

SAMA CSF Details

What It Is

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Cyber Security Framework (SAMA CSF), Version 1.0 (May 2017), is a mandatory regulatory framework for SAMA-regulated financial institutions in Saudi Arabia. It prescribes principle-based, outcome-oriented controls across governance and operations to detect, resist, respond to, and recover from cyber threats, using a risk-based maturity model.

Key Components

Four domains: Cyber Security Leadership & Governance, Risk Management & Compliance, Operations & Technology, Third-Party Cyber Security.
Numerous subdomains with principles, objectives, and control considerations.
Six-level maturity model (0-5), targeting minimum Level 3 (Structured & Formalized).
Aligned with NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS; self-assessment and SAMA audits for compliance.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory compliance for banks, insurers, etc., avoiding penalties and scrutiny.
Enhances resilience, reduces incidents, improves efficiency.
Builds trust, enables partnerships, competitive edge in digital finance.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control roadmap, deployment, monitoring, audits.
Applies to all SAMA entities; board/CISO-led.
Requires documentation pyramid, KRIs/KPIs, continuous improvement.

Key Differences

Aspect	FSSC 22000	SAMA CSF
Scope	Food safety management across food chain	Cybersecurity for financial information assets
Industry	Global food manufacturing, packaging, logistics	Saudi financial institutions (banks, insurance)
Nature	GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification scheme	Mandatory regulatory framework for compliance
Testing	Third-party certification audits, surveillance	Self-assessments, SAMA supervisory reviews
Penalties	Loss of certification, market access denial	Fines, license suspension, regulatory actions

Scope

FSSC 22000

Food safety management across food chain

SAMA CSF

Cybersecurity for financial information assets

Industry

FSSC 22000

Global food manufacturing, packaging, logistics

SAMA CSF

Saudi financial institutions (banks, insurance)

Nature

FSSC 22000

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification scheme

SAMA CSF

Mandatory regulatory framework for compliance

Testing

FSSC 22000

Third-party certification audits, surveillance

SAMA CSF

Self-assessments, SAMA supervisory reviews

Penalties

FSSC 22000

Loss of certification, market access denial

SAMA CSF

Fines, license suspension, regulatory actions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about FSSC 22000 and SAMA CSF

FSSC 22000 FAQ

SAMA CSF FAQ

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1, Operationalized: Top 10 Reasons Compliance Monitoring Software Accelerates Real-World Implementation

Operationalize CIS Controls v8.1 with compliance monitoring software. Turn checklists into dashboards, tickets, and audit-proof workflows. Top 10 reasons it acc

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.1 Private Sector Tailoring Blueprint: First 5 Steps to Overlay-Driven Compliance with Infographic

Step-by-step blueprint for private sector NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.1 tailoring using overlays for AI & supply chain risks. Infographic + first 5 steps for ROI-drive

The Tool Landscape for Reaching and Maintaining ISO 27701 Compliance

Discover the top tools for ISO 27701 compliance. Compare functionality, complexity, costs, and benefits to choose the best solution for your privacy program. Ac

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

100+ Standards & Regulations

AI-Powered Insights

Collaborative Assessments

Actionable Recommendations

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST CSF vs UL Certification

Explore NIST CSF vs UL Certification: Flexible cyber risk framework meets rigorous product safety standards. Key diffs, benefits for compliance. Dive in now!

GDPR UK vs SAMA CSF

Compare GDPR UK vs SAMA CSF: Unpack differences in principles, governance, enforcement & compliance for UK data protection & Saudi financial cyber frameworks. Navigate both now!

OSHA vs TOGAF

Compare OSHA safety standards vs TOGAF architecture framework. Key insights on compliance, risk mgmt, governance & strategy for execs. Boost efficiency—explore now!

FSSC 22000

SAMA CSF

Quick Verdict

FSSC 22000

Key Features

SAMA CSF

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

FSSC 22000 Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

SAMA CSF Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

FSSC 22000 FAQ

What is the primary objective of FSSC 22000?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with FSSC 22000?

Does FSSC 22000 require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for FSSC 22000 be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with FSSC 22000?

An FSSC 22000 be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing FSSC 22000?

SAMA CSF FAQ

What is the primary objective of SAMA CSF?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with SAMA CSF?

Does SAMA CSF require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for SAMA CSF be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with SAMA CSF?

An SAMA CSF be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing SAMA CSF?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1, Operationalized: Top 10 Reasons Compliance Monitoring Software Accelerates Real-World Implementation

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.1 Private Sector Tailoring Blueprint: First 5 Steps to Overlay-Driven Compliance with Infographic

The Tool Landscape for Reaching and Maintaining ISO 27701 Compliance

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST CSF vs UL Certification

GDPR UK vs SAMA CSF

OSHA vs TOGAF