On 26 February 2015, FSSC 22000 published FSSC 22000-Q--a brand new and voluntary module for the certification of Food Quality Management Systems (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001:2008. This addition will give organizations the possibility to be FSSC 22000 audited and certified for both Food Safety and Quality Management Systems. Organizations can choose to be audited for food safety only or to have the QMS Module added to FSSC 22000 certification by means of one integrated audit for Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
The ISO 9001:2008 standard has a strong customer focus. It helps to ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services. It also covers product development and design.
Food QMS certification falls outside Global Food Safety Initiative's (GFSI) benchmarking and recognition. However, FSSC 22000 will apply all its existing and future GFSI and ISO based requirements for good governance and integrity also to the new QMS module. This means that certification bodies, offering the FSSC 22000 QMS module, must be accredited for ISO 9001 and auditors must meet all relevant competence requirements.
Certification Bodies (CB) can apply for a license to deliver FSSC 22000-Q certification. To become a licensed CB, the standard procedure applies. The GFSI recognized version 3 remains applicable to the certification of Food Manufacturing and Food Packaging. Version 3.1 remains applicable to the certification of Animal Feed.