ISO 22000 checklist

How is ISO 22000 consultancy procedure in New Zealand?

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If you have come across this article, you must consider implementing a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in your business. Congratulations on deciding to improve your quality management system and commitment to safety. We understand that you may be hesitant to hire an ISO 22000 consultant, but we assure you that hiring one is a good investment. In this article, we will address all your concerns about hiring an ISO 22000 consultant and tell you why it will be worthwhile. Also, we will discuss the ISO 22000 consultancy procedure.

What is ISO 22000? FSMS

Before discussing the ISO 22000 consultancy procedure, let’s discuss the answer to What is ISO 22000.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) integrates the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) and ISO 9001, focusing on quality management to create a management system that prevents food safety from being compromised. Adhering to the recommendations of ISO 22000 helps you achieve compliance, and undergoing an external audit by a third-party certification body grants you certification.

ISO 22000; Food Safety Management System

What are ISO 22000 benefits?

When an organisation acquires ISO 22000 certification by addresing the ISO 22000 requirements, it can improve the confidence of customers, suppliers and other stakeholders in its food safety. It also makes the organisation more transparent and accountable by clarifying roles and responsibilities. Moreover, the management system helps the company remain optimised and updated so that its processes continue to improve. Optimised food safety procedures provide reassurance to management, helping to boost confidence and productivity.

Challenges on acquiring ISO 22000 certification?

As mentioned above, you must pass an external ISO 22000 Audits conducted by an impartial third-party certification body to acquire a certification. These audits are stringent and rigorous. Auditors understand that their carelessness would mean that substandard food items are being passed to the market. This is a potential health hazard as contaminated, adulterated or unhygienic food could lead to illnesses or even fatality. This is the reason why the audits are highly uncompromising.

To acquire ISO 22000 certification, you must not only adhere to the HACCP principles but also have specific Pre-Requisite Programmes (PRPs) in place. Some of these PRPs may be mandatory for your sector, while others may not apply to you. For this purpose, hiring an ISO consultant specialising in your sector is best to guide you on the best practices.

ISO 22000;  ISO standards for food industry

How is ISO 22000 procedure in New Zealand?

During the consultancy process, the consultant will conduct a gap analysis to identify areas of your current system that are not yet compliant with ISO 22000. During this process, you will learn how to ensure that your product complies with food safety and food quality regulations. All food premises and processes must comply with government food laws and regulations. Your consultant will help you understand and implement the requirements of each law. Additionally, the consultant will make a list of customer requirements, ensuring that you can meet these areas to use the  benefits of ISO 22000.

What do ISO 22000 consultants do?

An ISO 22000 consultant works in much the same way as a coach. During the initial consultation, the consultant will explain how ISO 22000 certification will benefit your organisation. The consultant will outline a timetable for you that contains details of how he or she plans to assess your current practises and when a final assessment will be made. The consultant will then observe your processes, interview relevant people within your organisation and collect their input. Utilising these observations and inputs, the consultant will make amendments to your procedures and suggest corrective actions.

The consultant will guide you through the certification process, including helping you sort through your records, aligning them with ISO 22000 recommendations and drafting your application. If you cannot comply with customer requirements, the consultant will suggest a customised corrective action to help you comply with these requirements. The benefit is that if you get stuck in this stage, you can always ask for clarity and guidance if these requirements or corrective actions are unclear.

A consultant will make a list of your employees’ training needs and decide how and when the training course will be provided. Hiring an ISO 22000 consultant is an excellent return on investment, as it ensures that you get your certification on the first attempt, preventing costly mistakes.

ISO 22000 consultant in New Zealand

Edara Systems help you get ISO certified

In this article, we have discussed the ISO 22000 consultancy procedure. Implementing a food safety management system (FSMS) based on the recommendations of ISO 22000 can help you showcase your commitment to continual improvement. An ISO consultant will help you achieve product compliance with customer requirements, other relevant standards and provide food safety training to achieve your certificate on the first attempt.

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