What is the difference between ISO 22000 and FSSAI certification?

FSSAI licensing is a mandatory legal requirement in India for food operations under the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006. ISO 22000 is an international voluntary standard providing third-party validation of food safety management systems. FSSAI compliance is foundational; ISO 22000 enhances credibility in export markets and demonstrates systematic hazard control.

Is ISO 22000 mandatory for food exporters in India?

ISO 22000 is not legally mandatory under Indian law but is increasingly required by international buyers, particularly in EU, USA, and UK markets. Many export contracts now stipulate ISO 22000 as a non-negotiable requirement. It is strongly recommended for competitive positioning in premium export markets.

How long does ISO 22000 certification take?

The complete certification process typically takes 4-6 months from pre-assessment to certificate issuance. This includes gap analysis (4-8 weeks), implementation (6-10 weeks), Stage 1 audit (1-2 weeks), corrective actions, and Stage 2 audit (1-2 weeks). Timeline varies based on organization maturity and complexity of food operations.

Can ISO 22000 certificate help in export documentation and customs clearance?

ISO 22000 certification strengthens export documentation by providing buyer confidence and reducing rejection risks at port of discharge. While not directly required by CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) for clearance, it significantly aids RoDTEP eligibility verification and helps in meeting destination country food safety import protocols.

What happens if non-conformities are found during audit?

Minor non-conformities must be closed within 30 days; major non-conformities require closure before certificate issuance. The certification body conducts follow-up verification. If not resolved, certification is denied. After issuance, unresolved non-conformities identified in surveillance audits can lead to certificate suspension.

ISO 22000 Certification

ISO 22000 food safety certification in India. FSSAI compliance, third-party audits, export market access. Complete guide for food manufacturers and exporters.

Conduct pre-assessment of existing food safety systems against ISO 22000:2018 requirements and identify compliance gaps
Select a NABCB-accredited certification body with recognized expertise in your food sector and product category
Develop comprehensive food safety management system documentation including HACCP plans, supplier controls, and traceability procedures
Undergo Stage 1 (management review) and Stage 2 (full site audit) with resolution of all identified non-conformities
Receive ISO 22000 certificate valid for 3 years and register with NABCB database for international recognition

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What is ISO 22000 Certification?

ISO 22000:2018 is an internationally recognized food safety management system standard that specifies requirements for organizations involved in the food chain. It integrates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles with prerequisite programs to ensure food safety from farm to consumer. This certification demonstrates a company's commitment to managing food safety risks systematically and maintaining consistent product quality.

The standard applies to all organizations in the food supply chain, including producers, processors, distributors, and retailers. In India, where food exports account for a significant portion of agricultural and processed food shipments, ISO 22000 certification enhances market access, particularly to stringent markets like the European Union, United States, Australia, and Japan. The certification is issued by third-party certification bodies accredited by NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies) under the scope of IAMAI (Indian Association for Management of Accreditation and Integrity).

Pricing

Package	Price	Details
Standard	On request	Including document prep

Process

📋
Conduct pre-assessment of existing food safety systems against ISO 22000:2018 requirements and identify compliance gaps
🔍
Select a NABCB-accredited certification body with recognized expertise in your food sector and product category
📝
Develop comprehensive food safety management system documentation including HACCP plans, supplier controls, and traceability procedures
✅
Undergo Stage 1 (management review) and Stage 2 (full site audit) with resolution of all identified non-conformities
📤
Receive ISO 22000 certificate valid for 3 years and register with NABCB database for international recognition

Documents Required

Business registration certificate (GST, PAN, or IEC from DGFT registration)
FSSAI license or food safety registration from competent authority
Food safety policy and organizational structure with assigned responsibilities
HACCP plan and hazard analysis documentation for all product lines
Supplier approval list and supplier audit reports with traceability records
Staff training records, calibration certificates for testing equipment, and internal audit reports

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ISO 22000 Certification

ISO 22000 food safety certification in India. FSSAI compliance, third-party audits, export market access. Complete guide for food manufacturers and exporters.

Conduct pre-assessment of existing food safety systems against ISO 22000:2018 requirements and identify compliance gaps

Select a NABCB-accredited certification body with recognized expertise in your food sector and product category

Develop comprehensive food safety management system documentation including HACCP plans, supplier controls, and traceability procedures

Undergo Stage 1 (management review) and Stage 2 (full site audit) with resolution of all identified non-conformities

Receive ISO 22000 certificate valid for 3 years and register with NABCB database for international recognition

Google VerifiedBusiness

500+Export Clients Served

End-to-EndEXIM Support

What is ISO 22000 Certification?

Package

Price

Details

Standard

On request

Including document prep

Process

📋

Conduct pre-assessment of existing food safety systems against ISO 22000:2018 requirements and identify compliance gaps

🔍

Select a NABCB-accredited certification body with recognized expertise in your food sector and product category

📝

Develop comprehensive food safety management system documentation including HACCP plans, supplier controls, and traceability procedures

✅

Undergo Stage 1 (management review) and Stage 2 (full site audit) with resolution of all identified non-conformities

📤

Receive ISO 22000 certificate valid for 3 years and register with NABCB database for international recognition

Documents Required

Business registration certificate (GST, PAN, or IEC from DGFT registration)

FSSAI license or food safety registration from competent authority

Food safety policy and organizational structure with assigned responsibilities

HACCP plan and hazard analysis documentation for all product lines

Supplier approval list and supplier audit reports with traceability records

Staff training records, calibration certificates for testing equipment, and internal audit reports