ISO 22000
International standard for food safety management systems
ISO 26000
International guidance standard for social responsibility
Quick Verdict
ISO 22000 provides certifiable FSMS for food chain safety, while ISO 26000 offers non-certifiable guidance on social responsibility. Food organizations adopt 22000 for compliance and market access; all firms use 26000 for ethical governance and stakeholder trust.
ISO 22000
ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems
Key Features
- Adopts High-Level Structure for integrated management systems
- Implements dual PDCA cycles for governance and operations
- Integrates HACCP principles with systematic hazard control
- Categorizes controls as PRPs, OPRPs, or CCPs rigorously
- Mandates interactive communication across food chain
ISO 26000
ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility
Key Features
- Seven principles underpinning all SR activities
- Seven core subjects for holistic coverage
- Stakeholder engagement for prioritization
- Non-certifiable guidance for all organizations
- Integration with management systems
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 22000 Details
What It Is
ISO 22000:2018 is the international certification standard for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It applies to any organization in the food chain, providing a systematic framework to ensure safe products through hazard prevention and compliance with requirements. Its risk-based approach uses dual PDCA cycles: one for organizational governance and one for operational controls.
Key Components
- Core pillars: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operation (PRPs, hazard analysis, CCPs/OPRPs), evaluation, improvement.
- Integrates HACCP principles, PRPs, traceability, communication.
- Built on High-Level Structure (HLS) for integration with ISO 9001/14001.
- Certifiable via accredited bodies with staged audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets customer/regulatory demands, enables market access.
- Reduces risks of recalls, contamination, legal issues.
- Builds trust, supports GFSI schemes like FSSC 22000.
- Drives efficiency, continual improvement, supply chain resilience.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, PRPs/hazard plans, training, verification, audits.
- Scalable for SMEs to multinationals in food sectors globally.
- Requires 3-month operation before certification; annual surveillance.
ISO 26000 Details
What It Is
ISO 26000:2010 is the international guidance standard on social responsibility, published in 2010 and confirmed current in 2021. It provides voluntary, non-certifiable framework for all organizations to integrate SR into governance and operations. Its holistic, principles-based approach emphasizes context-specific application via stakeholder engagement.
Key Components
- **Seven principlesaccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
- **Seven core subjectsorganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement.
- Guidance model with no requirements; supports self-assessment and reporting.
Why Organizations Use It
- Drives sustainability commitment, risk/opportunity management, ESG alignment.
- Builds stakeholder trust, enhances reputation without certification costs.
- Complements SDGs, OECD, GRI; aids due diligence, resilience.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, policy integration, training, reporting.
- Applies universally across sizes/sectors; no audits required, uses PDCA cycles.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 22000 | ISO 26000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety management systems (FSMS) | Social responsibility across 7 core subjects |
| Industry | Food chain organizations worldwide | All organizations, all sectors globally |
| Nature | Certifiable management system standard | Non-certifiable guidance standard |
| Testing | Certification audits, internal audits required | Self-assessment, no formal certification |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal penalties | No penalties, reputational risks only |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 22000 and ISO 26000
ISO 22000 FAQ
ISO 26000 FAQ
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