Apex
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Oct 11, 2025
4:50 AM
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Step-by-Step Process to Get ISO 22000 Certification in Saudi Arabia
Obtaining ISO 22000 Certification In Saudi Arabia is an essential step for food-related businesses aiming to meet global food safety standards. This certification ensures that your organization follows best practices for identifying, controlling, and managing food safety risks throughout the supply chain — from production to distribution.
The process aligns with international standards and complements other key certifications, such as ISO 14001 Certification in Saudi Arabia, HACCP Certification in Saudi Arabia, and Halal Certification In Saudi Arabia, which collectively help businesses strengthen safety, quality, and sustainability in their operations.
1. Pre-Audit Preparation Phase
Conduct a Gap Analysis
Begin your journey by performing a gap analysis of your existing Food Safety Management System (FSMS) against ISO 22000 requirements. This assessment helps identify current strengths and areas that need improvement before implementation.
Organizations that already comply with HACCP Certification in Saudi Arabia or HALAL Certification in Saudi Arabia often find this step easier, as these frameworks share many food safety and hygiene principles with ISO 22000.
Develop and Document the FSMS
Develop and maintain complete documentation for your Food Safety Management System (FSMS), including:
A clear Food Safety Policy and defined objectives
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan
Emergency response plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Records for monitoring, verification, and continual improvement
This documentation ensures traceability, accountability, and compliance — aligning with environmental sustainability principles under ISO 14001 Certification in Saudi Arabia.
Implement and Train Your Team
Once your FSMS is documented, implement the new system across all departments. Conduct regular food safety and hygiene training to ensure employees understand their roles in maintaining compliance.
Training typically covers:
Hygiene and sanitation protocols
Food hazard identification and control
Product traceability and recall management
HALAL integrity maintenance for certified products
This phase ensures that your workforce is fully equipped to meet ISO 22000, HACCP, and HALAL food safety requirements.
Conduct Internal Audits
Next, perform internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of your system. Internal audits identify potential nonconformities before the certification body’s audit, giving you a chance to make necessary corrections.
Hold a Management Review
The final step of pre-audit preparation involves a management review meeting to evaluate the system’s performance. This ensures your FSMS is effective, sustainable, and aligned with ISO 22000 and other relevant standards such as ISO 14001 for environmental management and HACCP for food safety control.
2. External Audit by an Accredited Certification Body
Once you’re confident in your system’s readiness, proceed to the external audit, conducted by an accredited ISO certification body in Saudi Arabia.
Select an Accredited Certification Body
Choose a recognized certification body approved by local authorities or international accreditation boards. Apex SC partners with accredited bodies to ensure global recognition of certifications, including ISO 22000, ISO 14001, HACCP, and HALAL certifications in Saudi Arabia.
Stage 1 Audit – Documentation Review
In this stage, auditors evaluate your documented FSMS to confirm compliance with ISO 22000 requirements. They review your food safety policies, HACCP plan, and HALAL controls, ensuring all are aligned with international standards.
Stage 2 Audit – On-Site Implementation Audit
The second stage involves an on-site inspection, where auditors assess the implementation of your documented system. This includes:
Evaluating food safety controls in production areas
Verifying staff competence and training
Inspecting environmental sustainability practices (linked with ISO 14001)
Checking hygiene, storage, and HALAL compliance for food handling
If your organization demonstrates full compliance, you will advance to certification.
3. Certification, Surveillance, and Renewal
Receive ISO 22000 Certification
After successfully passing the external audit, your organization receives the ISO 22000 Certificate, valid for three years. This achievement strengthens your credibility in the Saudi Arabian and international food markets.
Conduct Surveillance Audits
To maintain certification validity, your organization must undergo annual surveillance audits. These ensure continuous compliance and verify that the FSMS is effectively maintained and updated.
During these audits, many businesses also integrate other standards such as ISO 14001 for environmental management or HALAL certification to meet market and regulatory requirements in Saudi Arabia.
Certificate Renewal (Recertification Audit)
After three years, a recertification audit is required to renew your ISO 22000 certificate. This ensures your organization continues to comply with food safety best practices and maintains ongoing improvement — essential for long-term success in the Saudi market.
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