In July 2025, the International Organization for Standardization published a revised set of standards known as the ISO 22002-X:2025 series.
These standards define prerequisite programmes, often referred to as PRPs, which form the operational foundation of a food safety management system.
Prerequisite programmes cover the basic conditions and activities needed to maintain a hygienic food production environment. They include controls such as cleaning and sanitation, pest control, maintenance, supplier management, personal hygiene and site security. While hazard analysis and critical control points focus on specific food safety risks, PRPs provide the baseline controls that support the entire system.
What is ISO 22002 and why it matters
ISO 22002 standards are commonly used alongside ISO 22000, the international standard for food safety management systems. ISO 22000 sets out the management system framework, while ISO 22002 provides detailed and sector-specific guidance on how prerequisite programmes should be designed and implemented.
Until now, these prerequisite programme requirements were published as a series of technical specifications, each written separately for different parts of the food supply chain. This approach led to duplication, variation in interpretation and complexity for organisations operating across multiple sectors.
What has changed in the ISO 22002-X:2025 revision
The most significant change is the introduction of ISO 22002-100:2025, a new foundational standard. This document consolidates prerequisite programme requirements that are common across all sectors of the food, feed and packaging supply chain. Previously, these common requirements were repeated across multiple sector-specific standards, often with slight variations.
ISO 22002-100:2025 now establishes a single baseline covering areas such as:
- Hygiene and sanitation controls
- Personal hygiene and staff facilities
- Pest control
- Maintenance and equipment suitability
- Waste management and segregation
- Utilities, storage and handling
- Food defence and food fraud prevention
- Traceability and supplier control
Alongside this foundation, ISO has revised the sector-specific standards so that they focus only on requirements unique to each activity. These include updated standards for food manufacturing, catering, food packaging manufacturing, transport and storage and feed and animal food production, as well as a newly introduced standard for retail and wholesale operations.
To fully meet the revised requirements, organisations must apply both ISO 22002-100:2025 and the relevant ISO 22002-X:2025 sector standard.
How this links to food safety certification schemes
Many organisations do not certify directly to ISO 22002. Instead, these standards are used as normative references within certification schemes.
One of the most widely used schemes is the FSSC 22000 food safety management system certification scheme, operated by the Foundation FSSC 22000. FSSC 22000 is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative and is widely accepted by retailers, manufacturers and brand owners worldwide.
The FSSC 22000 scheme uses ISO 22000 as its core management system standard and relies on ISO 22002 standards to define prerequisite programme requirements for different sectors.
What is FSSC 22000 Version 7
FSSC 22000 is periodically updated to reflect changes in ISO standards, regulatory expectations and industry best practice. Each update is published as a new scheme version.
The current scheme is FSSC 22000 Version 6. The Foundation FSSC 22000 has confirmed that the publication of the ISO 22002-X:2025 series is the primary driver for the development of FSSC 22000 Version 7.
Once FSSC 22000 Version 7 is published, certified organisations will be required to align their prerequisite programmes to the new ISO 22002 structure as part of the scheme requirements. This will include the application of ISO 22002-100:2025 alongside the relevant sector-specific standard.
Publication of FSSC 22000 Version 7 is currently expected in April 2027. Based on current indications, a transition period of 12 months is anticipated, during which organisations would be expected to complete their upgrade to the revised scheme. Upgrade audits would be expected to take place during this transition window.
Formal publication dates, transition timelines and audit arrangements will be confirmed by the Foundation FSSC 22000 as part of the Version 7 release.
What this means for certified organisations
Although the revised ISO 22002 standards are already published, they do not automatically apply to existing FSSC 22000 certifications. The requirements will become auditable when they are formally adopted into FSSC 22000 Version 7.
However, organisations that delay preparation may face time pressure once transition timelines are confirmed. Changes may be required to prerequisite programme documentation, operational controls, internal audits and training programmes.
Organisations operating across multiple sectors may also need to review how their prerequisite programmes are structured to ensure both the common foundation and sector-specific requirements are clearly addressed.
How organisations can prepare
Organisations can take practical steps now by:
- Gaining familiarity with ISO 22002-100:2025 and the relevant sector-specific standard
- Assessing how existing prerequisite programmes align with the new structure
- Identifying gaps, overlaps, or areas requiring clarification
- Building anticipated changes into audit planning and resource allocation
Early preparation will support a controlled transition and reduce the risk of nonconformities once FSSC 22000 Version 7 is implemented.
Looking ahead
The ISO 22002-X:2025 revision represents more than a technical update. It reflects a shift towards clearer, more consistent prerequisite programme expectations across the global food supply chain.
For organisations certified to the FSSC 22000 food safety management system certification scheme, understanding these changes now is essential to maintaining certification confidence and demonstrating effective food safety governance in a changing regulatory and commercial landscape.
Speak to an expert to find out more about ISO 22002 and it’s impacts on your food safety certification schemes.
