FSSC 22000 v7 – what’s changing, when you need to act, and where to start

In May 2026, the FSSC Foundation published version 7 of the FSSC 22000 standard. This is the most significant change to the scheme in several years – more substantial than the transition from v5.1 to v6. Companies certified to v6 have 12 months to carry out an upgrade audit. Audits to v6 remain valid until 30 April 2027, and upgrade audits to v7 will be conducted from 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2028. The clock is already ticking.

Why has version 7 been introduced?

The main reasons for the update are threefold. Firstly, a complete overhaul of the ISO 22002-x series, which forms the basis of the Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs) in FSSC 22000. The old ISO/TS 22002-x series has been replaced by a new one, published in July 2025. Secondly, the need to align with the updated GFSI benchmarking requirements from 2024. Thirdly, the strengthening of sustainability and climate-related requirements, which have become part of global expectations for the food supply chain.

The most significant change: new Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs)

This is the area requiring the most work. The old ISO/TS 22002-x series (e.g. ISO/TS 22002-1 for food production) has been replaced by the restructured ISO 22002-x:2025 series. The key new development is the introduction of the base standard ISO 22002-100:2025, which consolidates the common PRP requirements for the entire food chain – regardless of sector. This standard is used in conjunction with the sector-specific part (e.g. ISO 22002-1:2025 for food production).

In practice, this means that every certified company must review its PRP documents, compare them with the new series and identify any gaps. This is usually the most labour-intensive part of the transition to v7.

→ ISO/TS 22002-x remains valid only for audits conducted against v6. From the moment of transition to v7, only the new ISO 22002-x:2025 series applies.

New category: retail trade and distribution

V7 introduces the ISO 22002-7:2025 standard – a pre-certification programme specifically designed for the retail and wholesale sectors. This is a significant change for retail chains, distributors and organisations with a similar business profile, which until now did not have a dedicated PRP pathway under FSSC 22000. V7 provides them with a clear certification pathway.

Strengthened GFSI requirements: culture, fraud, defence

GFSI updated its benchmarking requirements in 2024. V7 incorporates these changes in full, which means, among other things, strengthened requirements in four areas:

• Food safety culture – even higher expectations regarding the documentation of management commitment and performance metrics.
• Food fraud management – updated requirements regarding vulnerability analysis and mitigating measures.
• Food defence – expanded requirements regarding the assessment of physical threats.
• Management commitment – clearer audit criteria for assessing genuine leadership in the area of food safety.

Sustainability and climate as elements of the system

V7 goes a step further than V6 in integrating environmental requirements. Companies will be required to demonstrate how their food safety management system contributes to achieving sustainability goals. Regarding packaging, V7 also introduces selected packaging design principles aimed at reducing food loss (Save Food Packaging), which are mandatory for organizations involved in packaging material design.

New subcategory structure – greater precision in scope

Version 7 introduces a more detailed subcategory classification system within the food chain. The change aims to provide greater transparency for certified organizations and better selection of auditor competencies on the part of certification bodies. In practice, this may necessitate verifying and updating a company’s scope of certification.

Where to start preparing?

Experts and certification bodies recommend the same starting point: a gap analysis. This involves comparing the company’s current system with the requirements of v7, with particular attention to the new PRP series. This allows you to assess how much work actually needs to be done and plan the upgrade without time pressure.

✓ Companies that took the upgrade to v6 seriously and implemented the quality, culture, and FLW requirements in a meaningful—rather than merely formal—way have a much shorter path to v7.