In collaboration with:

Dear Valued Client,

As defined in the FSSC Board of Stakeholders Decision list the following new FSSC requirements must be considered at every
audit from January 1, 2019 onwards.
The requirements have been implemented to better align the FSSC standard with the GFSI benchmarking document. They are
specific to the category of the audit, so not all requirements will be audited at every facility. The categories to which they do apply
are highlighted in the text below.
•• The organization shall have a product release procedure in place (only for food chain categories C, I, G and K).
•• The organization shall have a procedure in place that, in case of an emergency, a non-approved supplier shall be assessed and
the product shall meet the specification (only for food chain categories C, I, G and K).
•• The organization shall have an incident management procedure in place that is regularly tested (only for food chain categories C,
I, D, G and K).
•• The organization shall have specified traceability requirements in place for unique identification of its final products (only for food
chain categories C, I, and K).
•• The organization shall have a policy in place for the procurement of animals, fish and seafood which are subject to the control of
prohibited substances such as pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, heavy metals and pesticides (only for food chain category CI).
•• The organization shall have specified requirements for an inspection process at lairage and/or at evisceration to ensure animals
are fit for human consumption (only for food chain category CI).
•• The organization shall have specified requirements in place that define post-slaughter times and temperatures in relation to
chilling or freezing of the products (only for food chain category CI).
•• The organization shall properly manage the use of ingredients that contain substances that can be deleterious to certain classes
of animals (for food chain categories DI and DII only).
•• The organization shall have specified requirements in place in case packaging is used to impart or provide a functional effect
on food, such as shelf life extension, and shall, where known, be effective within its own specified criteria (only for food chain
category I).
•• The organization shall have addressed the potential for contamination from other materials carried on the same vehicle (only for
food chain category I).
•• The organization shall have a medical screening procedure in place when permitted by law (only for food chain category I).
•• The organization shall have specified requirements in place when recycled material, plant based material or functional additives
are used. There shall be sufficient data to ensure safe food contact and documentation of claims (only for food chain category I).
In addition, a new requirement regarding minor non-conformances has also been included:
•• Evidence to confirm that corrective action has been taken will now be required within three months of the audit
•• This evidence could, for example, be:
•• Photos
•• Revised procedures
•• Training certificates
•• The evidence files should be submitted to the auditor for review
•• The auditor will review the evidence provided and determine whether it is adequate to confirm the site has addressed the
immediate issue
•• If the evidence is inadequate, or the site fails to provide the necessary evidence, then the certificate will be suspended until it is resolved
•• The action plan will still require a review at the next audit to confirm it has been undertaken and implemented

The original text of the Board of Stakeholders Decision list can be found here:
http://www.fssc22000.com/documents/graphics/version-4-1-downloads/decisionlist-bos-26nov18-final.pdf
These changes will take effect from 01 June 2019.

SGS FOOD CERTIFICATION TEAM

www.sgs.com/foodsafety
food@sgs.com