• ISO Standards

ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management Systems

strong reputation comes responsibility. Ensuring food safety isn’t only about meeting regulations; it’s about protecting consumers and keeping trust. This obligation extends beyond intentions and depends on an established, effective system. ISO 22000:2018 provides that structure, offering a consistent management system for identifying hazards, controlling risks, and ensuring food remains safe from production to consumption.

With ISO 22000 in place, organizations gain greater confidence in their operations and clearer visibility across every step of the food chain. It helps unify teams under a shared approach, improves coordination between suppliers and stakeholders, and supports smarter decision-making through reliable data. Most importantly, it empowers businesses to stay ahead of emerging risks and maintain the high standards that Australia’s food sector is known for.

What Is ISO 22000:2018?

ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It defines the requirements for a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) that keeps food safe across every stage of the supply chain, from farm to fork. Its main goal is to identify, control, and prevent food-safety hazards so businesses can consistently provide safe and high-quality products.

Why Food Safety Matters in Australia

Australia’s domestic and export markets depend on strong quality assurance. Foodborne illnesses or contamination incidents can quickly damage public confidence. Given these pressures, Australian food producers and processors need systems that meet both local and international expectations. Implementing ISO 22000 helps businesses protect public health, meet regulations, and maintain their reputation for safe and trusted food.

Structure of ISO 22000:2018

The 2018 edition follows the High-Level Structure (HLS) used by other ISO standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. It also applies the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking, helping organizations prevent issues before they happen and continually improve food-safety performance.

ISO 22000 structure includes:

  • Identifying internal and external issues, stakeholder needs, and the FSMS scope to establish a clear food safety management system.
  • Demonstrating leadership by setting the food safety policy and assigning roles and responsibilities to support the FSMS.
  • Planning actions to address risks and opportunities, set food safety objectives, and manage changes affecting the FSMS.
  • Providing resources, ensuring staff competence, maintaining communication, and controlling documented information for effective FSMS operation.
  • Controlling operational processes through prerequisite programs, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plans, traceability, emergency readiness, and nonconformity management.
  • Evaluating FSMS performance through monitoring, measurement, internal audits, and management reviews.
  • Improving the FSMS by correcting nonconformities and continually enhancing system effectiveness.

Key Elements of ISO 22000

Management responsibility: Leadership sets the food-safety policy, ensures availability of resources, and promotes improvement.
HACCP principles: Hazards are identified and critical control points are established and monitored to maintain safety.
Prerequisite programs: Hygiene, equipment maintenance, cleaning, and pest control are core prerequisite programs that keep the production environment safe.
Continuous improvement: Internal audits, reviews, and corrective actions keep the system effective over time.

Benefits of ISO 22000 Certification

  • Stronger control of food-safety risks
  • Better access to international markets
  • Compliance with Australian food laws and international food-safety requirements
  • Greater consumer confidence and brand credibility

Show your commitment to food safety.
Partner with UCS, an accredited certification body offering ISO 22000:2018 certification for food producers and suppliers across Australia.
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Who Can Be Certified

ISO 22000 applies to any organization involved in the food chain, including:

  • Food manufacturers and processors
  • Restaurants, hotels, and catering services
  • Food packaging, transportation, and storage service providers
  • Retailers, distributors, and wholesale businesses within the food supply chain

Certification Process with UCS

  1. Application: Submit a request for certification to UCS.
  2. Agreement: Review and sign the certification terms.
  3. Stage 1 Audit: UCS evaluates documentation and readiness.
  4. Stage 2 Audit: UCS assesses actual implementation and compliance.
  5. Certification: Receive ISO 22000 certification after demonstrating full compliance.

Integration with Other Systems

ISO 22000 can integrate with:

  • ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS)
  • ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
  • Other management systems to deliver a coordinated, efficient, and high-performing food-safety management approach.

Integration with these standards helps organizations simplify management, reduce duplication, and improve overall efficiency across all business operations.

ISO 22000 vs HACCP

HACCP is specifically designed to identify, evaluate, and control hazards during food production and processing. ISO 22000 takes this further by combining HACCP with management-system principles, embedding food safety throughout the entire organization.

Together, they build a powerful defense that protects consumers and reinforces industry trust.

ISO 22000 vs GMP

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) refers to basic operational and hygiene requirements that must be in place to ensure food is produced under safe and controlled conditions. ISO 22000 builds on that foundation and goes beyond basic hygiene, adding structured hazard analysis and system-wide improvement by establishing a full management system that controls food-safety hazards from farm to fork.

Together, they create a complete, strong food-safety framework.

Challenges in Adopting ISO 22000:2018

Typical hurdles in adopting ISO 22000 include insufficient understanding of HACCP and prerequisite programs requirements, gaps in documentation, lack of technical expertise, inadequate food-safety training, weak process monitoring, inconsistent supplier management, and difficulty integrating the standard with existing systems. 

These can be managed through comprehensive HACCP and prerequisite programs training, developing clear procedures, assigning process ownership, improving supplier evaluation, and adopting a phased ISO 22000 implementation approach.

Maintaining Certification

Keeping certification active requires:

  • Regular internal audits
  • Management review meetings
  • Corrective actions for non-conformities
  • Ongoing monitoring and improvement on the FSMS

Why Choose UCS for ISO 22000 Certification

Universal Certification and Services (UCS) is an internationally accredited ISO certification body operating in Australia, UAE and various global regions. With accreditations from ASIB (Accreditation Services for International Business) and GAC (GCC Accreditation Center), we provide independent and transparent certification services supported by qualified auditors and globally recognized procedures.

The Future of Food Safety in Australia

Australia’s food-safety landscape is shifting toward digital traceability, automation, and sustainability. ISO 22000 positions Australian businesses ahead of the curve by giving them a proven management system to manage risks, strengthen supply-chain transparency, and confidently compete in both domestic and international markets.

Meeting Australia’s high expectations for safe, reliable food requires disciplined and transparent controls. ISO 22000:2018 provides this foundation by ensuring products are handled with integrity and robust oversight. As global demands intensify, it helps organizations manage risks effectively, improve their systems, and maintain strong public assurance. Explore the ISO 22000:2018 Standard on ISO Website.

Earn global recognition for your food safety standards. ISO 22000:2018 certification with UCS helps your business demonstrate reliability, compliance, and consumer protection.

Apply for Certification Today.

What is ISO 22000:2018?

ISO 22000:2018 is an international standard that helps organizations manage food safety across the entire supply chain. It combines risk management, process control, and continuous improvement to ensure food remains safe from production to consumption.

Who needs ISO 22000 certification in Australia?

Any organization involved in the food chain can benefit, from farmers, processors, and packaging companies to restaurants, caterers, and retailers. Certification shows your commitment to food safety and compliance with global standards.

How is ISO 22000 different from HACCP?

HACCP focuses on identifying and controlling hazards, while ISO 22000 builds on HACCP by adding a management system structure. This means food safety becomes part of everyday business operations, not just a production process.

What are the benefits of ISO 22000 certification?

Certification helps reduce food-safety risks, meet Australian and international regulations, and improve customer confidence. It can also open access to new markets and strengthen your brand’s reputation for reliability.

How can a business get certified to ISO 22000 in Australia?

Certification is carried out by accredited bodies such as Universal Certification and Services (UCS), accredited by ASIB and GAC. The process includes an application, audit, and final approval once assuring that your food safety management system meets the standard’s requirements.

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