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

**ISO 22000 establishes, implements, maintains, and continually improves a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) to provide safe products.** It integrates **PRPs**, **hazard analysis**, **CCPs/OPRPs**, and **HACCP principles** with management system requirements across Clauses 4–10, using two PDCA cycles for organizational governance and operational controls, while enabling effective communication and compliance demonstration.

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

**No organization is legally required to comply with ISO 22000, as it is a voluntary international standard.** It applies professionally to any entity in the food chain—producers, processors, packaging, feed, transport, retail, and services—affecting food safety, to demonstrate FSMS effectiveness for customers, regulators, and certification.

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

**ISO 22000 requires internal audits but external audits and third-party certification are voluntary.** Certification by accredited bodies follows a two-stage process (Stage 1 readiness, Stage 2 implementation), with annual surveillance and triennial recertification, confirming FSMS conformity across all clauses.

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

**Internal audits for ISO 22000 must be conducted at planned intervals, typically risk-based with high-risk processes audited more frequently.** Management reviews occur at predetermined intervals, supported by ongoing monitoring, verification, and annual gap reassessments to ensure FSMS suitability and effectiveness.

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

**Non-compliance with ISO 22000 results in loss of certification, market exclusion, recalls, and brand damage, but no direct legal penalties as it is voluntary.** It exposes organizations to food safety incidents, regulatory actions under local laws, supply chain rejection, and increased operational risks from unverified hazards.

Can **ISO 22000** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, ISO 22000:2018 follows the High-Level Structure (HLS), enabling seamless mapping and integration with ISO management system standards.** Its PDCA cycles, risk-based thinking, and Clause 4–10 alignment support combined audits and unified systems for enhanced governance.

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

**The first step is defining the FSMS scope and understanding organizational context per Clause 4.** This includes identifying internal/external issues, interested parties' requirements, and boundaries, followed by leadership commitment to a food safety policy.

What is the primary objective of **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The primary objective of MLPS 2.0 is to establish a graded cybersecurity protection system ensuring security controls match the potential harm from system compromise to national security, social order, and public interests.** It classifies information systems into five levels (1-5) based on impact severity, mandating commensurate technical, management, physical, and personnel controls via standards like GB/T 22239-2020, with enforcement by Public Security Bureaus.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**All network operators in mainland China must comply with MLPS 2.0 under Article 21 of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law.** This includes domestic enterprises, foreign-invested entities, cloud providers, and operators of IT, IoT, big data, or industrial systems; critical sectors like finance and energy often classify at Level 3+.

Does **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 requires external security reviews by licensed Chinese firms for Level 2+ systems, targeting a minimum 75/100 score.** Operators submit results to local PSBs for approval; Level 3+ mandates periodic third-party evaluations with PSB oversight.

How often should an assessment for **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be performed?

**Assessments under MLPS 2.0 must occur biennially for Level 2, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5.** Re-evaluations are also required after major changes; self-inspections apply to all levels.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 risks fines up to 100,000 yuan, operational suspensions, system shutdowns, and intensified PSB inspections.** Enforcement ties to business license renewals; severe cases involve blacklisting or criminal liability.

Can **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 control domains align with ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST CSF categories.** Organizations leverage existing ISMS for gap analysis, extending Statements of Applicability to MLPS levels while addressing China-specific mandates like data localization.

What is the first step to begin implementing **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The first step is conducting a provisional self-assessment to classify systems into Levels 1-5 based on impact to national security and public interests.** Inventory assets, document rationale per GB/T 22240-2020, then file with local PSB for Level 2+ validation.

ISO 22000 vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Standards Comparison

ISO 22000

Voluntary

2018

International standard for food safety management systems

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

N/A

China's regulation for graded cybersecurity system protection

Quick Verdict

ISO 22000 provides voluntary global certification for food safety management, enabling supply chain trust. MLPS 2.0 mandates graded cybersecurity in China, enforced by PSBs with penalties. Companies adopt ISO 22000 for market access; MLPS for legal compliance.

Food Safety

ISO 22000

ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

High-Level Structure enables integrated management systems
Dual PDCA cycles for organizational and operational control
Integrates HACCP principles with full management system
Systematic categorization of PRPs, OPRPs, and CCPs
Interactive communication across entire food chain

Standard

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five-level classification by societal impact
Mandatory PSB registration for Level 2+
Third-party audits with 75/100 pass score
Extended controls for cloud and IoT
Ongoing law enforcement oversight

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 an 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, regulatory compliance, and chain communication. Built on risk-based thinking and HLS, it uses dual PDCA cycles for strategic and operational control.

Key Components

Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Core: PRPs, hazard analysis, CCPs/OPRPs, traceability, verification.
Integrates HACCP principles; requires documented hazard control plans.
Certification via accredited bodies with staged audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets customer/regulatory demands; enables GFSI access via schemes like FSSC 22000.
Reduces recalls, enhances resilience, builds trust.
Strategic risk management; integrates with ISO 9001/14001.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, PRPs, hazard plans, training, audits.
Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; 6-18 months typical.
Involves cross-functional teams, validation, continual improvement.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0) is China's legally enforceable cybersecurity regulation under the 2016 Cybersecurity Law. It mandates classifying information systems into five levels based on compromise impact to national security, social order, and public interests, applying graded technical, governance, and organizational controls.

Key Components

Common controls in physical security, networks, data protection, operations
Level-specific baselines via GB/T standards (e.g., 22239-2019)
Extensions for cloud, IoT, big data, industrial systems
Third-party audits (≥75/100 score), PSB approval for Level 2+

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory compliance avoids fines, license suspensions, inspections
Strengthens risk management, resilience in China operations
Enables market access, procurement with SOEs/government
Builds regulator trust, aligns with data laws (DSL, PIPL)

Implementation Overview

Phased: classify systems, gap analysis, remediate controls, external audit, PSB filing, ongoing re-evaluations. Targets all China network operators; intensive for multinationals with Level 3+ systems.

Key Differences

Aspect	ISO 22000	MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
Scope	Food safety management systems across food chain	Graded cybersecurity for all networks in China
Industry	Food, feed, packaging, logistics globally	All sectors operating networks in China
Nature	Voluntary international certification standard	Mandatory national regulation enforced by PSBs
Testing	Certification audits every 3 years, internal audits	Third-party evaluations, PSB inspections, re-evaluations
Penalties	Loss of certification, no legal fines	Fines, operational suspension, enforcement actions