The FSSC 22000 Business Benefits Study, conducted by Foundation FSSC and independently led by PwC, highlights how FSSC 22000 delivers value beyond compliance.
FSSC 22000 Business Benefits Study Overview
Foundation FSSC recently conducted the FSSC 22000 Business Benefits Study. The main purpose of the study was to measure the business impact of FSSC 22000 — including Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) and FSSC enabling services — within the framework of the FSSC Impact Strategy and its contribution to SDGs. The study was designed to evaluate how FSSC 22000 delivers value beyond compliance and to identify the key value-driving components of the certification scheme.
This study was done in collaboration with three key stakeholder groups: i) Brands and Retailers, ii) Certification Bodies (CBs), and iii) Certified Organizations (COs).
How FSSC 22000 Creates Business Value Beyond Compliance
The study sought to shift the narrative from compliance-focused certification to business value creation by demonstrating how FSSC 22000 and its enabling services, contributes to governance discipline, operational resilience, risk reduction, cost control, and strategic market positioning. The findings were based on direct feedback from the three FSSC key stakeholder groups: COs implementing the certification scheme, Brands and retailers adopting and endorsing it, and CBs supporting the implementation through auditing and certification activities.
PwC-Led Independent Research and Methodology
To ensure neutrality and global credibility, the study was conducted by the independent business advisory organization, PwC.
Six strategic business dimensions were evaluated during the study:
- Operational Performance
- Financial Performance
- Customer and Market Benefits
- Company Brand Building
- Reputation and Risk Protection
- Organizational and Employee Benefits
Key Findings from the FSSC 22000 Business Benefits Study
The findings demonstrate that FSSC 22000 delivers value far beyond food safety certification alone. The study confirms that FSSC 22000 is increasingly recognized as a strategic driver of business performance, trust, operational efficiency, internal capability building, and organizational resilience across the global food value chain.
Key findings include:
- 95% of brand respondents stated that sourcing from FSSC-certified organizations helped avoid additional costs associated with non-compliance and supply chain inefficiencies, while also improving market access and supporting business growth. Respondents also indicated that sourcing from FSSC-certified organizations improved supply chain reliability.
- 95% of Certification Body respondents reported revenue growth driven by increased demand for FSSC 22000 certification services, while 91% stated that the scheme enhanced their brand reputation and market share.
- 94% of Certified Organization respondents confirmed that FSSC 22000 supported revenue growth and improved market share. Respondents also reported significant improvements in regulatory compliance following certification.
- 81% of Certified Organizations indicated that FSSC 22000 contributed to cost savings and profit improvement after certification.
- 97% of respondents confirmed improvements in food safety and quality culture following certification.
Industry-Wide Benefits of FSSC 22000 Certification
From an industry perspective, the study concluded that FSSC certification delivers substantial value across the food safety ecosystem through:
- Significant reductions in food safety incidents, fewer product recalls, and stronger consumer protection.
- Lower regulatory non-conformities at certified sites, supporting risk-based oversight and strengthening government confidence.
- Improved operational performance through reduced non-conformities, lower audit duplication, stronger process controls, and measurable productivity gains.
- High stakeholder value placed on FSSC guidance, learning, and development programs, enabling clearer interpretation, more effective implementation, and continuous capability development.
- Strengthened internal organizational capability, with companies increasingly using FSSC frameworks and tools even before certification.
- Improved ESG alignment through reduced waste and food loss, along with enhanced investor and stakeholder confidence.
FSSC 22000 as a Strategic Business Enabler
Overall, the study reinforces the role of FSSC 22000 as not only a food safety certification scheme, but also a strategic business enabler that supports sustainable growth, resilience, operational excellence, and long-term value creation across the global food industry.
Click here to read the executive summary of the FSSC 22000 Business Benefit Study.
