ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised Quality Management System. A quality management system (QMS) is a set of policies, processes and procedures required for planning and executing the core business of an organisation and serving customers.
ISO 22000 is a standard developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation dealing with food safety.
The ISO 22000 standard specifies the requirements for a food safety management system that involves the following elements:
- interactive communication
- system management
- prerequisite programs
- HACCP principles
Critical reviews of the above elements have been conducted by many scientists. Communication along the supply chain is essential to ensure that all relevant food safety hazards are identified and adequately controlled at each step within the process.
Recognition of the organisation’s role and position within the food chain is essential to ensure effective interactive communication throughout the chain in order to deliver safe food products to the final consumer.
The most effective food safety systems are established, operated and updated within the framework of a structured management system and incorporated into the overall management activities of the organisation.
ISO 22000 integrates the principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and application steps developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. By means of auditable requirements, it combines the HACCP plan with prerequisite programs. Hazard analysis is the key to an effective food safety management system, since conducting a hazard analysis assists in organising the knowledge required to establish an effective combination of control measures. ISO 22000 requires that all hazards that may be reasonably expected to occur in the food chain, including hazards that may be associated with the type of process and facilities used, are identified and assessed.
In comparison with ISO 9001, the standard is more procedurally orientated guidance as opposed to a principle based one. Apart from that, ISO 22000 is an industrial-specific risk management system for any type of food processing and marketing, which can be closely incorporated with the quality management system of ISO 9001.
