Using FSSC 22000 certification to meet FSMA
An early comparison of FSSC
22000 (Food Manufacturing Scope) by The Acheson Group (TAG) against the FSMA Preventive
Controls for Human Food Rule (PCHF) suggested that for the most part the FSSC
22000 scheme requirements were in large measure comparable to those of the
FSMA Final Rule (TAG, April 2016).
However, there are some
requirements in the PCHF Rule that have been identifed as either being
different to the requirements of FSSC 22000, or as being more specific in
the way they need to be addressed to achieve compliance. To clarify these differences,
and to help organizations use FSSC 22000 certification as a tool to meet the
requirements of the FSMA regulations, a line by line comparison of the 2 sets
of requirements has been completed and is published as FSSC 22000-FSMA Alignment - September 2017 . In addition, a
supplement which expands on those areas where FSMA demands more specific detail
than is required by FSCC 22000 has also been produced. Together the documents
are intended to help FSSC 22000 certified organizations integrate the
requirements of the FSMA PCHF Rule into their Food Safety Management System
(FSMS), thus avoiding the need for two separate food safety plans. It will be
of help to facilities completing a self-assessment against the requirements of
the PCHF Rule and could be used by US importers to determine what FSSC 22000
certification means relative to the requirements of Foreign Supplier
Verification Program (FSVP).
Similar comparisons are planned
to be developed for the Preventive Control for Animal Feed Rule (PCAF) against
the FSSC 22000 Animal Feed scope and the Sanitary Transport Rule against the FSSC
22000 Storage and Transportation scope.