Home Certification Schemes ISO 22000
Food Safety ISO 22000 2018

Food Safety Management Systems

International standard for food safety management systems ensuring food safety across the entire food chain from farm to fork, combining interactive communication, system management, and PRPs.

food production agriculture hospitality retail
About This Standard

ISO 22000 provides a comprehensive framework for food safety management, combining the internationally recognised HACCP principles with the ISO management system structure. It applies across the entire food chain from primary production through processing, packaging, distribution, and retail.

The 2018 revision introduced Annex SL alignment, a revised risk approach, and clearer distinction between operational PRPs and the HACCP plan. The standard requires organisations to demonstrate that food safety hazards have been identified, controlled, and verified across the food production system.

ACI-certified ISO 22000 auditors assess FSMS design and effectiveness, evaluate hazard analysis rigour, and review the implementation of prerequisite programmes and HACCP controls.

Examination Topic Areas
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) methodology
Prerequisite programmes (PRPs) and operational PRPs
Food safety hazard identification, assessment, and categorisation
Critical control points, critical limits, and monitoring procedures
Verification and validation of FSMS elements
Emergency preparedness for food safety incidents and recalls
Traceability system design and recall procedure testing
Communication along the food chain and with authorities
Examination & Certification Process
01
Attend Training

Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 22000.

02
Sit the Examination

Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.

03
Apply for Certification

Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.

Scheme Details
Standard ISO 22000
Edition 2018
Category Food Safety
Cert. Period 3 years
Framework ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
Available Grades PA · AA · AU · LA · PR · FACI
All Certification Schemes
Auditor Grades

Available Grades for ISO 22000

All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.

PA
Provisional Auditor

Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.

Foundation examination pass (70%)
No prior audit experience required
Annual CPD requirement applies
AA
Associate Auditor

For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 2 internal audits conducted
Annual CPD requirement applies
AU
Auditor

Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 5 complete audits
Annual CPD requirement applies
LA
Lead Auditor

Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.

Lead Auditor examination pass (65%)
Lead Auditor training course
Minimum 10 complete audits as team lead
PR
Principal Auditor

Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.

Lead Auditor grade prerequisite
Minimum 5 years audit experience
Professional development portfolio
FACI
Fellow of ACI

The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.

By nomination and committee review
Exceptional professional contribution
Sustained ACI membership
Ready to certify in ISO 22000?

Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.