Certification of organisations operating in the food chain (ISO 22000)

The ISO 22000 standard is an international document developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation that sets requirements for food safety management systems. It combines the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) with quality management approaches.

The standard applies to all links in the food chain: from primary production to distribution to the end consumer. The requirements for the ISO 22000 HACCP certification are constantly being improved to account for new threats.

ISO 22000 certification is mandatory for entry into the markets of the EU, the U.S., Canada, and other countries, where it is a necessary condition for tenders and contracts. It supports business growth by increasing the company’s value during a sale or when attracting investments. The introduction of ISO 22000 certification bodies allows one to identify weak points in the supply chain before they lead to a product recall. Moreover, food safety system certification guarantees risk reduction. The absence of this certification blocks access to the shelves of major retailers (in Ukraine, these include “Silpo,” “ATB,” and others).

ISO 22000 food safety certification begins with a diagnostic audit, which identifies gaps between the current situation and the ISO 22000 certification requirements. Next, a roadmap for implementation is drawn up: procedures, HACCP plans, hygiene guidelines and prerequisite programmes are established. Once the internal audit has been completed and non-conformities rectified, an application is submitted to an accredited body. This process becomes more efficient through a clear division of responsibilities between departments.

The ISO 22000 audit consists of two stages. The first is a document review; the second is an on-site inspection: interviews with staff, a tour of the premises and an assessment of the system in operation. If serious non-conformities are identified, a deadline is set for rectification. To avoid repeat audits, you should set up electronic monitoring systems as early as the preparation stage. It’s also worth noting that the ISO 22000 certification requirements don’t always need to be accredited by a national agency.

Upon successful completion, an ISO 22000 certificate is issued. During three years, annual surveillance audits are conducted, which take 1–2 days and cost on average 30–50% of the initial audit. An ISO 22000 certificate can only be received if all points of the standard are fully complied with.

Cost of ISO 22000 certification depends on the size of the business, the number of production sites and the complexity of the production process. On average, the price for the full cycle including consultancy support is around 40-100 thousand hryvnias. Additional costs may arise if laboratory equipment needs to be upgraded. Prices are approximate and subject to change, so it is advisable to check the specific costs with your chosen company. However, the benefits of ISO 22000 certification are clear.

The most common mistake is trying to save on consultancy, which leads to repeat audits and a 50–70% increase in costs. We recommend engaging consultants who can deliver predictable results and guarantee that the audit will be passed on the first attempt.

Prices starting from 15,000 hryvnias can be found on the market, but this applies only to the issuance of the certificate itself, excluding consultancy, inspections, refinements, and other services in this field.

The ISO 22000 certificate is issued for a period of three years. During this period, surveillance audits are conducted annually to confirm compliance with the ISO 22000 standard. Upon expiry, recertification is required – a full audit similar to the initial one. If a company makes significant changes to its technology or product range, it must notify the certification body within 30 days; otherwise, the certificate may be revoked.

“Failure to recognise or correctly implement the necessary procedures for documentation and record-keeping: This means that the company does not maintain required documentation, or does not sufficiently comply with the documentation and record-keeping procedures necessary to meet the requirements of the ISO 22000 standard,” note the experts at sanfood.biz.

To submit an application, you must have the ISO 22000 certification audit checklist:

• company registration details (EDRPOU, articles of association);
• documentation on production facilities;
• process charts or technical specifications;
• results of internal quality checks and laboratory analyses;
• confirmation of the implementation of food safety management systems (HACCP).

Failure to provide even one mandatory document automatically postpones the audit to a later date. Documents required for ISO 22000 certification must be valid at the time of the audit.

VICONSULT has been operating in the certification services market for over 20 years and has supported more than 280 companies in the food industry. Our ISO 22000 certification consultants hold relevant qualifications and assist in obtaining certificates accredited by national and international bodies, ensuring the certificate is recognised in 47 countries. We utilise solutions tailored to the client’s business model, reducing implementation time by 25–30%. The compliance rate of the ready-made systems is 98% from the first audit thanks to a proven solution. Each project is supported by legal assistance on food safety regulations. Working with VICONSULT guarantees 100% compliance with the ISO 22000 standard.

To place an order, simply fill in the form on the website or send an email stating the number of employees, product range and availability of current certificates. You can also contact us by the numbers listed on the website, or visit our office at 1 Sribnokilska Street, Kyiv, first entrance. Our team of experts will provide a commercial proposal and a preliminary schedule as soon as possible.

• Is it possible to obtain ISO 22000 certification without implementing the full system?No. The certification body verifies that the requirements are actually being met, not merely that the documentation is in place. Attempts to bypass the system will result in revocation.What is the difference between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000?

  FSSC 22000 is an extension of ISO 22000 with additional requirements for specific sectors. FSSC is often required for working with global retailers.

  Can certification be obtained remotely?

  Documentation-wise, yes. However, the production audit must be conducted in person.

  Does certification affect product prices?

  Yes, it allows you to increase the selling price by 7–12% without losing sales volume.

• conducting diagnostics of the compliance of the selected premises (regardless of the location of the enterprise, we work throughout Ukraine) with writing a report based on the audit results;
• development of the necessary package of documents;
• conducting training for the Customer’s specialists;
• quick and effective completion of the ISO 22000 certification procedure.

*implementation of the ISO 22000 system;
*training of specialists;
*ISO 22000 certification;
*Technical conditions;
*registration of capacity;
*obtaining an operating permit.

An international food safety certificate is required if:

1. The work is related to public catering in an educational institution, preschool, bakery, cafe or restaurant.
2. The enterprise is engaged in packaging, packaging or transportation of food products or the production of animal feed.
3. The work is aimed at off-site events (catering).
4. Food products are sent to the shelves of domestic retail chains.
5. Products are exported to other countries.
6. You are participating in a tender.

Having such a certificate allows you not only to confidently pass all inspections, but also increases consumer confidence in your enterprise, minimizes risks and makes it possible to enter different markets. To avoid errors and inaccuracies, it is worth considering a number of nuances.