Regulations, food safety
Version 7 of the FSSC 22000 standard was released on May 1, 2026: what’s new?
11
May
Published on: May 11, 2026
The framework is still based on three pillars:
• ISO 22000, which defines the requirements for a food safety management system;
• ISO 22002-x standards, which provide a framework for prerequisite programs (PRPs) by sector;
• Additional requirements specific to FSSC certification.
The goal: to ensure that health hazards are effectively managed throughout the food chain, while adopting a structured and internationally recognized approach.
Key developments:
As with every new release of FSSC 22000, companies are granted a 12-month transition period:
Audits conducted in accordance with Version 6 are permitted until April 30, 2027.
Upgrade audits in accordance with Version 7 must be conducted between May 1, 2027, and April 30, 2028. As of May 1, 2028, all audits must be conducted in accordance with Version 7.
👉 Access the official guidelines: FSSC 22000 Version 7 Documents | FSSC Foundation
Companies are therefore encouraged to start preparing for these changes now in order to ensure compliance by the deadline.
The CTCPA is here to support you
In light of these developments, the CTCPA (Agri-Food Technical Center) assists agri-food companies in understanding and implementing the requirements of FSSC 22000 and the major certification standards.
Our experts offer the following services:
👉 Explore our 2026 courses: Agri-food training, a complete catalog for training
For any inquiries or personalized assistance, please contact our teams:
📩 contact@ctcpa.org
📞 +33 (0)1 53 91 44 08
• ISO 22000, which defines the requirements for a food safety management system;
• ISO 22002-x standards, which provide a framework for prerequisite programs (PRPs) by sector;
• Additional requirements specific to FSSC certification.
The goal: to ensure that health hazards are effectively managed throughout the food chain, while adopting a structured and internationally recognized approach.
Key developments:
- Integration of the new ISO 22002-x:2025 series of standards on prerequisite programs;
- Alignment of the framework with the GFSI reference requirements (2024 version);
- Strengthening requirements to help organizations contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): combating food waste and designing sustainable food packaging;
- Establishment of a more detailed framework for classifying food chain categories and setting requirements for auditors;
- Editorial changes and amendments made as part of our commitment to continuous improvement;
- Guidelines for the use of AI in the certification process (Part 3 of the standard).
As with every new release of FSSC 22000, companies are granted a 12-month transition period:
Audits conducted in accordance with Version 6 are permitted until April 30, 2027.
Upgrade audits in accordance with Version 7 must be conducted between May 1, 2027, and April 30, 2028. As of May 1, 2028, all audits must be conducted in accordance with Version 7.
👉 Access the official guidelines: FSSC 22000 Version 7 Documents | FSSC Foundation
Companies are therefore encouraged to start preparing for these changes now in order to ensure compliance by the deadline.
The CTCPA is here to support you
In light of these developments, the CTCPA (Agri-Food Technical Center) assists agri-food companies in understanding and implementing the requirements of FSSC 22000 and the major certification standards.
Our experts offer the following services:
- training courses focused on standards and management systems (FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, HACCP, internal audits, microbiology, risk management, etc.);
- technical support to adapt your processes and food safety management systems;
- Operational support to help you prepare for audits and ensure compliance.
👉 Explore our 2026 courses: Agri-food training, a complete catalog for training
For any inquiries or personalized assistance, please contact our teams:
📩 contact@ctcpa.org
📞 +33 (0)1 53 91 44 08
