Food Safety Management Certification Bodies
Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems. Specifies requirements applicable to bodies auditing and certifying against ISO 22000 and other FSMS standards.
ISO 22003-1 specifies requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems, establishing sector-specific requirements beyond ISO/IEC 17021-1 for the food safety sector. It ensures certification bodies have the competence and processes to audit effectively against ISO 22000 and related standards.
The standard addresses the unique characteristics of food safety certification including food chain category-specific competence requirements, cluster auditing for multi-site food organisations, and the requirements for unannounced audits to provide meaningful assurance in the food sector.
ACI-certified auditors develop competency in evaluating food safety certification body operations and the sector-specific technical requirements for FSMS auditing.
Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 22003-1.
Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.
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.
Available Grades for ISO 22003-1
All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.
Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.
For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.
Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.
Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.
Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.
The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.
Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.