ISO 22000:2018 was released on June 19, 2018, and is an international standard. Because it follows the same High Level Structure (HLS) framework as other widely applied ISO standards, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, it will be easier to integrate with other management systems.

If you are already implementing ISO 22000:2005, you will be familiar with most of the requirements in ISO 22000:2018. However, there are a number of changes from ISO 22000:2005 that you should prepare for in order to transition to and comply with ISO 22000:2018.

Key Changes in ISO 22000:2018 Certification

Here are some of the key changes to keep in mind:

1. Changes Due to HLS Adoption

Business Context and Stakeholders:

Chapter 4.1, External and Internal Issues, introduces new sections for systematically identifying and monitoring the business context. Chapter 4.2, Stakeholder Needs and Expectations, introduces requirements for identifying and understanding factors that can (and are likely to) affect the management system's ability to achieve desired results.

Strengthened Focus on Leadership and Management Commitment:

Chapter 5.1 now includes new requirements for active participation and accountability regarding the effectiveness of the management system.

Risk Management:

Chapter 6.1 now requires companies to identify, study, and take action, where necessary, to address any risks that may affect (either positively or negatively) the management system’s ability to deliver the desired results.

Strengthening Focus on Objectives as Drivers of Improvement:

These changes can be found in Chapter 6.2, and in Chapter 9.1, Performance Evaluation.

Expanded Communication Requirements:

Chapter 7.4 is now more prescriptive regarding communication “mechanisms,” including defining what, when, and how to communicate.

Less Strict Food Safety Guideline Requirements:

The change was introduced in Chapter 7.5. Documented information is still required. Documented information must be controlled to ensure it is adequately protected (Ref. 7.5.3). The explicit requirement for a documented procedure has been removed.

Other changes to ISO 22000 and food safety management:

PDCA cycle:

The standard outlines the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, with two separate cycles working together: one covering the management system and the other covering HACCP principles.

The scope now specifically includes animal feed:

Feed intended for animals that do not produce food for human consumption.

Some important changes to definitions:

“Harm” is replaced with “adverse health effects” to ensure consistency with the definition of food safety hazards. The use of “assurance” highlights the relationship between the consumer and the food producer, based on ensuring food safety.

Food safety policy reporting – Chapter 5.2.2:

This chapter explicitly requires management to facilitate staff understanding of food safety policies. Objectives of the food safety management system: The objectives of the food safety management system are defined in more detail in Chapter 6.2.1 and include, for example, the following items. “In accordance with customer requirements,” “monitored,” and “verified.”

Control of externally provided processes, products, or services – Chapter 7.1.6:

This section addresses the need to control suppliers of products, processes, and services (including outsourced processes) and to ensure proper communication with relevant requirements to meet the requirements of the food safety management system.

In addition, there are several key changes in ISO 22000:2018 compared to ISO 22000:2005 related to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems.

Technical Details