FSSC 22000 V7: What adjustments do businesses need to make before the new audit?
FSSC 22000 Version 7 introduces several significant updates for businesses in the food supply chain, including the adoption of the ISO 22002-X:2025 series, updates aligned with GFSI 2024, and strengthened requirements for risk management, food safety culture, and sustainable development.
With the transition timeline beginning in 2027, this is an appropriate time for businesses to assess their readiness and identify the changes that need to be made to their current systems.
🔎 Key changes businesses should be aware of
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1. Update the PRP system in accordance with ISO 22002-X:2025
FSSC 22000 V7 applies new PRP standards for each sector, together with ISO 22002-100:2025 for relevant supply chains.
For businesses: the current PRP system needs to be reviewed to identify new requirements, gaps, and areas that need to be updated before the Version 7 audit.
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2. Strengthen Food Defense & Food Fraud
Food defense and food fraud mitigation plans need to be established and maintained by personnel with appropriate knowledge and competence, while also being integrated into the organization’s food safety management system.
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3. Food Safety & Quality Culture needs to be demonstrated in practice
FSSC 22000 V7 continues to emphasize the development of a food safety and quality culture throughout the organization. Businesses not only need to have policies and plans in place, but also need to demonstrate their implementation through actions, the involvement of management and employees, as well as evidence that can be assessed.
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4. Food Loss & Waste: Strengthen objectives and measurability
Businesses need to specify their approach to reducing food loss and waste through appropriate objectives, monitoring indicators, and action plans, thereby enabling the progress and effectiveness of implementation to be assessed.
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5. Additional requirements need to be reviewed according to the business’s activities
Version 7 updates several areas such as management of services and purchased materials, labels and printed materials, PRP verification, product design and development, traceability, and multi-site certification. As the level of impact depends on the food-chain category and the activities of each business, conducting a Gap Analysis early will help accurately identify the areas that need to be updated.
📅 Important timeline
- Until 30/04/2027: audits will continue to be conducted according to FSSC 22000 V6.
- From 01/05/2027 to 30/04/2028: mandatory transition period to FSSC 22000 V7.
- After 30/06/2028: FSSC 22000 V6 certificates will no longer be valid.
✅ What should businesses do from now?
Organizations currently implementing FSSC 22000 V6 should proactively:
- Learn about and provide training on the new requirements of Version 7.
- Conduct a Gap Analysis between the current system and FSSC 22000 V7.
- Review the PRPs according to ISO 22002-X:2025 applicable to their sector.
- Develop an action plan and allocate resources for the transition process.
- Discuss the transition plan and FSSC 22000 V7 audit with the certification body.
🤝 Proactively prepare for FSSC 22000 V7 with Bureau Veritas
If your business is currently implementing FSSC 22000 V6 or planning to obtain FSSC 22000 certification, Bureau Veritas Vietnam can provide information on the updated requirements, transition timeline, and certification plan appropriate to your business activities.
📩 Contact Bureau Veritas Vietnam to receive updates on FSSC 22000 V7 and discuss your certification plan.