FSSC 22000 - Scheme Interpretation Article - Laboratory analysis for critical food safety parameters - Version 1 - June 2024

Oct 5, 2026

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FSSC 22000 Scheme Interpretation Article clarifies the requirements for conducting laboratory analysis of parameters critical to food safety under Additional Requirement 2.5.1(a). It explains that analyses used for verification and/or validation must be performed by a competent laboratory able to produce precise and repeatable results using validated methods and best practices. It outlines how ISO/IEC 17025:2017 applies, covering general interpretation and key laboratory obligations such as impartiality, confidentiality, resources, and authority.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

1. INTRODUCTION

2. FSSC 22000 SCHEME REQUIREMENTS

2.5.1 MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES AND PURCHASED MATERIALS (ALL FOOD CHAIN CATEGORIES)

3. INTERPRETATION

3.1 GENERAL INTERPRETATION

3.2 APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO/IEC 17025:2017 RELEVANT TO LABORATORIES

4. DEFINITIONS

5. REFERENCES

FSSC 22000 SCHEME INTERPRETATION ARTICLE: LABORATORY ANALYSIS FOR CRITICAL FOOD SAFETY PARAMETERS Version 1 | June 2024 Scheme Interpretation Article: Laboratory analysis for critical food safety parameters TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................2 2. FSSC 22000 SCHEME REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................2 3. INTERPRETATION .........................................................................................................................3 3.1 GENERAL INTERPRETATION.....................................................................................................3 3.2 APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO/IEC 17025:2017 RELEVANT TO LABORATORIES........3 3.3 APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO/IEC 17025:2017 RELEVANT TO ORGANIZATIONS .....7 4. DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................................................8 5. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................9 REVISION HISTORY | Date Published Issue Changes | | | | --- | --- | --- | | June 2024 | 1 | First publication | FSSC 22000 Version 6 | June 2024 1 of 9 Scheme Interpretation Article: Laboratory analysis for critical food safety parameters 1. INTRODUCTION In accordance with the FSSC 22000 Scheme V6, Part 2, Section 2.2, the Foundation publishes interpretation articles related to Scheme requirements that include further clarification on requirements and the application and/or implementation thereof. Certification Bodies and Certified Organizations need to adhere to these interpretation articles, and it is the responsibility of the FSSC 22000 contact person to keep up to date with the interpretation articles and communicate it to the relevant parties within the CB or to Certified organizations, as applicable. This Scheme Interpretation Article on Additional Requirement 2.5.1 (a) is in place to provide further clarification on the laboratory analysis requirements and the implementation thereof. FSSC 22000 additional requirement 2.5.1 (a) on laboratory analysis of parameters critical to food safety, is applicable to all food chain categories. This additional requirement was updated as BoS decision \#4 within the Version 6 Board of Stakeholders Decision List, published in March 2024. The update was made to align with GFSI benchmarking requirements and is applicable to all Version 6 audits as of 1 April 2024. 2. FSSC 22000 SCHEME REQUIREMENTS Part 2 – Requirements for organizations to be audited-Version 6. Amended by BoS Decision \# 4 of the Version 6 BoS Decision List. 2.5.1 MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES AND PURCHASED MATERIALS (ALL FOOD CHAIN CATEGORIES) a) In addition to clause 7.1.6 of ISO 22000:2018, the organization shall ensure that where laboratory analysis is used for the verification and/or validation of parameters critical to food safety, these shall be conducted by a competent laboratory (including both internal and external laboratories as applicable) that has the capability to produce precise and repeatable test results using validated test methods and best practices (e.g. successful participation in proficiency testing programs, regulatory approved programs or accreditation to international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025) . The analyses shall be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. FSSC 22000 Version 6 | June 2024 2 of 9 Scheme Interpretation Article: Laboratory analysis for critical food safety parameters 3. INTERPRETATION 3.1 GENERAL INTERPRETATION • This requirement is not requiring the laboratory to be accredited, however, that the laboratory used shall operate in accordance with the applicable requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 wh

FAQs

What is the purpose of this FSSC 22000 Scheme Interpretation Article?

It provides further clarification of the laboratory analysis requirements for parameters critical to food safety and explains how organizations should implement them under the FSSC 22000 scheme.

Is laboratory accreditation required under this interpretation?

Accreditation is not required by this clause; however, the laboratory used must operate in accordance with applicable ISO/IEC 17025 requirements when performing analyses for critical food safety parameters.

What must organizations ensure when laboratory analysis is used for verification and/or validation?

Organizations must ensure the laboratory is competent and capable of producing precise and repeatable results using validated test methods and best practices, and that analyses are performed in accordance with applicable ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Oct 5, 2026

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