On 31 March 2023, the FSSC Foundation published version 6 of the FSSC 22000 schema.
FSSC schemes support the consumer goods industry in implementing effective management systems, protecting their brands and achieving food safety objectives.
The main reasons for the updated version of the FSSC 22000 schema are:
- Integration of the requirements of the ISO 22003-1:2022 standard,
- Strengthen requirements to support organizations in their contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
- Incorporate feedback from the Version 6 Development Survey, which received nearly 2,000 responses.
Overview of the main changes in version 6 of the FSSC 22000 schema
- Realignment of food chain categories in accordance with ISO 22003-1:2022.
- The scope has been broadened to include Trading and Brokering (FII) and narrowed by removing Farming and FSSC 22000-Quality from the regime.
- Integration of food safety requirements and quality culture .
- New requirements on quality control, food loss and waste, and equipment management.
- Enhanced existing additional requirements in part 2 of the system, including but not limited to allergen management and environmental monitoring.
- Changes and clarifications on the requirements for the certification process.
- Addition of a QR Code on FSSC 22000 certificates for better traceability.
Version 6 will have a 12-month transition window to allow organizations to prepare for the new version.
The first audits to version 6 will start from April 1, 2024 onwards and all organizations must complete the v6 upgrade audit by March 31, 2025.
The Foundation has released a version 6 upgrade process document detailing the transition requirements and a schema release highlighting the changes between V5.1 and V6 .
All documents are available for free download HERE