FSSC 22000 Version 7 FAQ

General FAQs for FSSC 22000 Version 7

• I have noticed that in version 6, the exemption requirement relating to audit duration under 4.3.3 of Part 3 refers to a simple process, in order for the audit duration to be allowed to be reduced to 1.5 auditor days. Has this requirement been removed in version 7?

  Yes, the requirement for a simple process has been removed from this exemption allowance – For Version 7, for organizations that have less than 20 FTE and maximum 2 HACCP studies, further reductions are allowed to a minimum audit duration of 1.5 days for all audit types and all categories.​
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  We have therefore removed the requirement for the process to be considered a simple process and also increased the HACCP studies from 1 to 2 HACCP studies. This allows for more flexibility in audit duration for smaller organizations, whilst still ensuring audit integrity. ​
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  Please still keep in mind that the CB shall ensure that the audit duration allows for an effective audit based on audit objectives, scope and specific audit needs and covering the full FSSC 22000 requirements. And therefore, audit duration may also be increased, and CBs can decide to not apply the exemption requirement depending on the complexity, scope and specific audit needs. The audit durations calculated are minimum durations and CBs can increase them where the need arises to meet audit objectives and ensure an effective and robust audit is delivered. ​

• Why is ISO/TS 22002 changed to ISO 22002? The “TS” was dropped?

  ISO published an updated series of PRP standards in 2025, the ISO 22002-X:2025 series, which replaced the previous ISO/TS (technical specifications) 22002-X series. These are now considered international standards, and no longer only technical specifications.

• Why is there a need to issue ISO 22002-100 when each ISO 22002-x series could potentially incorporate both the general PRP requirements from ISO 22002-100 and their respective sector-specific PRPs?

  The new structure now establishes one common PRP standard (ISO 22002-100:2025, also referred to as Part 100), with additional sector specific parts (e.g., ISO 22002-1, ISO 22002-2, ISO 22002-4, ISO 22002-5, ISO 22002-6, ISO 22002-7) and this simplifies implementation for multisector organizations. Typically meaning more standardized PRP structures and clearer audit expectations.

  The new ISO PRP structure is designed to harmonize shared PRPs in Part 100, which applies to all sectors, thereby reducing duplication across sector standards and making it easier for organizations and auditors to apply a consistent PRP framework and approach.

• What does maximum 2 HACCP studies for an organization mean?

  A HACCP study, as per the Scheme, Appendix 1 is defined as “Hazard analysis for a family of products/processes/services with similar hazards and similar processes and technology (e.g., production, packaging, storage or implementation of services) (ISO 22003-1:2022)”. When we look at the audit duration calculation for an FSSC 22000 audit we see that TFSSC is calculated based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and the number of HACCP studies. Therefore, an organization needs to have defined their number of HACCP studies, in accordance with the Scheme requirements, and the CB needs to verify this is accurate, when determining the audit duration for the site. A maximum of 2 HACCP studies means not more than 2 HACCP studies.

• Our organization will have a recertification audit in October 2026. How will the surveillance audit be conducted in 2027? Is it announced since it is an upgrade audit to V7?

  An upgrade audit is a full audit against the new FSSC 22000 V7 requirements and may be conducted announced, or unannounced if required to meet the 3-yearly unannounced audit requirements. This is dependent on when your last unannounced audit was delivered and when your next unannounced audit is due.

• Can we do a standalone Upgrade Audit?

  An upgrade audit is a full audit against the new FSSC 22000 V7 requirements, and takes place at/during the organizations next audit due in the cycle during the upgrade audit timeframe e.g., during a surveillance or recertification audit.

• What is the difference between ISO 22002-1:2025 & ISO 22002-100:2025?

  ISO 22002-100:2025 (Part 100) contains those PRP requirements that are common across all the sectors, whilst ISO 22002-1:2025 is the sector specific part for the food manufacturing sector, which then only includes those requirements over and above what is defined in Part 100. Therefore a food manufacturer shall adhere to the requirements in both ISO 22002-100:2025 (common) and ISO 22002-1:2025 (sector specific).

• What is the timeline for the implementation of FSSC 22000 V7?

  Version 7 of the FSSC 22000 Scheme was officially released on the 1st May 2026 and there is a 12 month implementation window to allow organizations and CBs to prepare for the new Version. Audits against the FSSC 22000 Scheme V6 are only allowed to be delivered up to 30 April 2027.​ Upgrade audits against FSSC 22000 Scheme V7 shall be conducted from 1 May 2027 until 30 April 2028.​

• What is the difference between ISO 22002-100 and ISO 22002-x ?

  We utilize the term ISO 22002-X:2025 to refer to the overall PRP series of standards. This incorporates ISO 22002-100, which is the common set of requirements that applies across all sectors as well as the relevant sector specific parts applicable to your organizations scope e.g. ISO 22002-1, ISO 22002-2, ISO 22002-4, ISO 22002-5, ISO 22002-6 and/or ISO 22002-7.

• Is food loss and waste applicable to packaging scope, since ISO 22002-100 indicates that it should have management for all segments?

  In relation to the requirement under clause 8.1 of ISO 22002-100:2025, this requirement relates to how food loss and waste (FLW) must be managed (where food loss and waste applies) so as to prevent contamination, however, it is not mandating FLW reduction strategies to be implemented. The FSSC 22000 additional requirement 2.5.16 does mandate requirements on the reduction of FLW specifically, and although 2.5.16 does not apply to packaging manufacturing (category I), the FSSC 22000 additional requirement 2.5.13 (g) which is a new requirement in V7 on packaging design principles linked to the reduction of FLW, does apply to all organizations that design primary packaging/packaging material.

• Do food packaging manufacturers need to meet ISO 22002-1 requirement for food manufacturing as well as ISO 22002-4?

  A food packaging manufacturer (who produces packaging material only, and does not also additionally produce food products) shall adhere to ISO 22002-100:2025 and ISO 22002-4:2025, not ISO 22002-1:2025. To determine what normative standards apply to your organizations food chain category(s)/sector(s), please refer to the Scheme, Part 1, Section 3, Table 1.

• Since BoS decisions are also mandatory, are there any upcoming decisions in the next 12 months that will affect the transition period? Is there a chance that organizations prep for V7 and shortly before the audit against V7 will take place there will be a new BoS decision, which will affect the process?

  The Board of Stakeholders (BoS) Decision list is a document which contains decisions applicable to the FSSC 22000 Scheme. The decisions overrule or provide further clarification on existing Scheme rules and shall be implemented and applied within the defined transition period. The decision list is dynamic and can be adjusted by the BoS when deemed necessary.

  Although FSSC does not necessarily plan to publish any new BoS decisions before V7 becomes auditable, we cannot guarantee this as the Scheme is still in process of benchmarking with GFSI, and BoS decisions might be required as a result of the benchmarking process.