In the contemporary food production process, the packaging component plays more than a single role; rather, it serves as a vital interface between food products and consumers. Any lapse in packaging safety can lead to food contamination, failure to meet regulations, and ultimately the deterioration of the image of the brand. For this reason, FSSC 22000 for packaging material manufacturers has become more relevant in recent times in the food and beverages sector.
The FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000) is one of the globally recognized food safety management standards. Although FSSC 22000 was developed initially as a food safety management system for food manufacturers, it has since extended its reach to cover food packaging and food contact material suppliers. In the case of packaging material manufacturers that supply their services to food brands, FSSC 22000 packaging certification is now not only necessary but imperative.
The following article looks at the relevance of FSSC 22000 for packaging material manufacturers, what the certification entails, the requirements thereof, and its advantages to food contact material suppliers.
Understanding FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers
Foundation FSSC 22000 owns and operates FSSC 22000 Scheme. The FSSC 22000 Scheme is endorsed by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). GFSI is the benchmark for global standards of food safety that are globally accepted by leading food manufacturers and retailers.
The Scheme applies to various groups within the food chain. The group that applies to packaging materials producers is:
| FSSC 22000 Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Category I | Production of food packaging and packaging materials (food contact materials) |
| Applicable Materials | Flexible packaging, rigid plastics, metal cans, glass, paper/board, closures, labels, coatings, inks |
| Standard Basis | ISO 22000:2018 + ISO/TS 22002-4:2013 + FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements |
In summary, if your business produces any type of material that is to come into contact with food, either directly or indirectly, then FSSC 22000 for packaging material manufacturers is the only certification that is both reliable and recognized.
Why Do Food Packaging Material Manufacturers Need FSSC 22000 Certification
The food business is facing immense pressure from regulators, customers, and global brands. The packaging material is not an exception to this pressure but rather is the focal point of this pressure. There are many strong reasons for the packaging material suppliers to get this certification.
- FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers Is Now a Supply Chain Prerequisite
Leading global food producers like Nestlé, Unilever, Danone, and many more have started requiring their packaging providers to obtain GFSI-recognized certification. The certification of packaging under FSSC 22000 perfectly meets this requirement. Otherwise, packaging providers may be put on a list of delisted suppliers.
- Food Packaging Safety Standards Are Being Enforced More Strictly
The regulation frameworks such as the EU Regulation 10/2011 (on plastics for food contact materials), FDA 21 CFR, and China GB standard are becoming stricter all around the world. Thus, obtaining a certificate for compliance with the food packaging safety standards, such as FSSC 22000, is a clear evidence of due diligence.
- Chemical Migration and Contamination Risks Are Real
There is a possibility of introducing chemical risks into the food by way of migrating chemicals like ink, adhesives, plasticizer, and coating into the food. In case of packaging material manufacturers, the FSSC 22000 system covers the aspect of chemical hazard analysis and prerequisite programs.
- Packaging Material Suppliers Compliance Builds Brand Trust
The food brands have to be sure about the food safety management systems implemented by their packaging material suppliers. Compliance of packaging material suppliers to FSSC 22000 ensures that.
FSSC 22000 Requirements for Food Contact Material Suppliers
The FSSC 22000 requirements for food contact material suppliers are structured around three main pillars:
| Pillar | Standard / Requirement | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Management System | ISO 22000:2018 | Food safety policy, hazard analysis (HACCP), FSMS planning, continual improvement, management review |
| Prerequisite Programs | ISO/TS 22002-4:2013 | Hygienic design, contamination control, pest management, cleaning, chemical control, printing inks & adhesives |
| Additional Requirements | FSSC 22000 v6.0 | Food fraud mitigation, food defense, allergen management, environmental monitoring, logo use, supplier approval |
Key Requirements Under ISO/TS 22002-4 for Packaging Manufacturers
ISO/TS 22002-4 is the sector-specific PRP that makes FSSC 22000 uniquely applicable for packaging manufacturing companies. Some critical elements covered by this standard are as follows:
- The design and layout of buildings and utility services that will prevent cross-contamination
- Control of printing materials, ink, varnish, and adhesive that can migrate into food products
- Separation of out-of-specification materials and waste
- Control of machine oils and other chemicals utilized during machine maintenance operations
- Personal hygiene and visitor/contractor control
- Raw material traceability from raw material to finished product to distribution
Packaging material producers must cover food fraud vulnerability assessment, food defense programs, and allergen control, even if their products do not contain allergens. This is because the working environment may come into contact with allergenic products.Applicable Standard:
FSSC 22000 Version 6.0
FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers: The Certification Process
The pathway to FSSC 22000 packaging certification follows a structured process:
| Step | Activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gap Assessment: Compare existing systems with FSSC 22000 standards | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 2 | Documentation: Document FSMS policies, procedures, HACCP plan, and PRP records | 4 to 8 weeks |
| 3 | Implementation: Train employees and implement the system | 8 to 16 weeks |
| 4 | Internal Audit: Check the efficiency of the system before the external audit | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 5 | Stage 1 Audit: Assessment of documentation preparedness by the certification body | 1 to 2 days |
| 6 | Stage 2 Audit: Audit of the complete system implemented at your organization | 2 to 3 days |
| 7 | Certification Valid: 3 years with annual surveillance audits | Ongoing |
Total time required from initiation to certification is about 6 to 18 months depending on the initial maturity of the organization’s food safety management systems.
Benefits of FSSC 22000 Packaging Certification for Suppliers
For packaging material suppliers, achieving FSSC 22000 certification delivers benefits that extend well beyond a certificate on the wall:
- Access to Global Markets: This allows you access to supplying top-quality food products that are GFSI-compliant all over the world without going through repeated third party evaluations.
- Less Customer Audits: One thorough third party audit is sufficient for all customers and saves much time from conducting separate audits from each client.
- Preventive Risks Management: Helps detect potential dangers before they affect your company by avoiding any risk of recalling products and lawsuits.
- Efficient Management: Develops standardized Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) which ensure hygienic conditions and traceability of products.
- Absolute Legal Compliance: Guarantees your processes of packaging remain in accordance with the most stringent rules from all around the world including those from US FDA and European Union.
- Advantage Over Competition: This will be an important factor for procuring your services as a proof of your commitment to high-quality standards during negotiations.
- Food Safety Culture: Ensures constant training of personnel that leads to higher level of expertise.
FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers vs. Other Certifications
Packaging manufacturers often ask how FSSC 22000 compares with other food safety or quality standards. Here is a brief comparison:
| Standard | Scope | GFSI Recognized | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSSC 22000 | Food safety management system for food manufacturers and packaging suppliers | Yes | Global food and beverage supply chains |
| BRC Packaging | Food contact packaging safety | Yes | UK and European retail supply chains |
| ISO 22000 | Food safety management (generic) | No | Internal framework, not a substitute for GFSI |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management system | No | General quality, not food-safety specific |
| AIB | Facility standards inspection | No | US market, facility hygiene focused |
The FSSC 22000 packaging certification is distinguished due to its combination of an efficient management system (ISO 22000), prerequisites for the industry (ISO/TS 22002-4) and additional requirements set by the Foundation and thus it becomes the most extensive certification available to food contact materials manufacturers.
Common Challenges in Implementing FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers
- Despite the obvious advantages, the implementation of the FSSC 22000 standard is associated with certain difficulties that packaging manufacturers will need to be ready for:
- Chemicals: Ensuring that there is a full list of all inks, adhesives, coatings, solvents, and lubricants used, as well as confirming their food-grade status by means of supplier declaration or migration testing.
- Lack of documentation: The majority of packaging manufacturers are not in possession of the required HACCP documentation in accordance with ISO 22000:2018.
- Food fraud and food defense: These two new aspects (in particular, those introduced by the v6.0 version of FSSC 22000) will necessitate conducting risk assessments and planning measures to mitigate them, something that was not a concern for packaging manufacturers before.
- Environmental monitoring: Launching a contamination monitoring program to address microbiological and chemical risks in the production environment.
- Supplier management: Creating a mechanism for supplier evaluation and approval in relation to suppliers of film, board, ink, adhesives, and other packaging materials.
Who Should Pursue FSSC 22000 for Packaging Material Manufacturers
Relevance of this certification spans many different types of companies from the packaging industry value chain, including:
- Producers of flexible packaging films (polyethylene, polypropylene, laminates)
- Producers of rigid plastic containers and preforms (PET, HDPE, PP)
- Manufacturers of metal cans and closures
- Producers of paper and paperboard packaging
- Manufacturers of glass bottles and containers
- Producers of labels and sleeves (printed packaging)
- Manufacturers of coatings and lacquers for food packaging
- Manufacturers of inks and adhesives used in food contact applications
If your product is in direct contact with food products or even secondary packaging of food products, FSSC 22000 for packaging materials manufacturers is the certification you need to have.
Key Takeaways
- The FSSC 22000 for packaging material manufacturers is an internationally accepted food safety certification for manufacturers of food contact materials that include flexible packaging, rigid packaging, closures, labels, and coatings.
- Certification for food contact material using the FSSC 22000 is based on the ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002-4 which includes the PRPs for food packaging manufacturing environment.
- The benefits of achieving the FSSC 22000 packaging certification include getting access to world-class global food brands, which require FSSC 22000 in their procurement criteria.
- The FSSC 22000 addresses the issues of chemical migration, contamination, traceability, and hygienic design that are essential components of food packaging safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is FSSC 22000 certification for food contact material manufacturers?
The FSSC 22000 certification for food contact material manufacturers refers to the GFSI-recognized food safety management system which is based on ISO 22000 and ISO/TS 22002-4 specifically aimed at companies producing packaging materials for foods. The certification means that the company complies with safety and hygiene requirements to avoid contamination and guarantee the safety of its packaging materials.
Why do packaging material suppliers need FSSC 22000 certification?
Packaging material suppliers require FSSC 22000 certification to fulfill the requirements of their supply chains related to global food brands, comply with food packaging safety standards, and become included in the list of GFSI-certified suppliers. Otherwise, the packaging material supplier risks losing major customers requiring such certification for their suppliers.
Why do food packaging material manufacturers need FSSC 22000 certification?
It is quite simple: packaging poses a direct risk for food safety. The certification offers the manufacturer an adequate system for managing chemical migration, contamination, traceability, and supplier control along with compliance with regulators’ and food brand customers’ requirements.
What are the FSSC 22000 requirements for food contact material suppliers?
The FSSC 22000 requirements for food contact material suppliers are:
– ISO 22000:2018 (Food Safety Management)
– ISO/TS 22002-4:2013 (Sector Specific PRPs for Packaging)
– FSSC 22000 Additional Requirements (Food Fraud, Food Defense, Environmental Monitoring & Supplier Approval)
How long does it take to get FSSC 22000 packaging certification?
The average timeframe to be FSSC 22000 packaging certified takes 6 to 18 months, based on the current food safety maturity of your organization. This process involves Gap Analysis, Documentation, Implementation, Internal Audits, External Audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2).
Is FSSC 22000 the same as BRC Packaging for food contact material suppliers?
No, they are different standards. Both BRC Packaging (also called BRCGS Packaging) and FSSC 22000 are GFSI recognized schemes. However, the BRC Packaging is more common in the UK/Europe retail supply chain, whereas FSSC 22000 is better accepted around the world (North America, Asia and emerging countries).
Does FSSC 22000 for packaging material manufacturers cover printed packaging and labels?
Yes, there is FSSC 22000 standard for packaging material manufacturers, which applies to the following packaging: printed packaging, labels and sleeves, including the inks, coatings, adhesives and varnishes that are used for its production. The mentioned standard is called ISO/TS 22002-4.
