ISO 22000 Implementation in the Packaging Industry

[vonsigler]

My organization is a full service custom printer and converter of flexible films for the candy, food, retail, general merchandise, pest control and medical industries. We convert flexible packaging roll stock materials using environment - friendly water based flexographic inks and adhesives. We are currently ISO certified to 9001:2008 and we have a HACCP program in place. My question is should we look towards becoming ISO 22000 certified and would we have permisble exclusions within the ISO 22000 standard due to the fact we do not actually package food only supply the packaging materials to the food industry. The FDA classifies our material as a FCS (food contact substance).
Thank you for your help.

 

[harry]

ISO 22000 is applicable to all types of organizations within the food chain together with inter-related organizations such as producers of equipment, packaging materials (like you), cleaning agents, etc.

What's driving you to look at that direction? Customer request/requirement? Business strategy? Before proceeding, perhaps you need to look at your resources too.

Another standard that I am more familiar with is the BRC/IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials Issue 3

With ISO 9001 and HACCP, you can easily meet the requirements of the above.

 

[vonsigler]

Thank you very much for your feedback. My company is being proactive due to the S510 Food modernization Act which should be coming out soon from Durbin or Waxman.

 

[harry]

........... My company is being proactive due to the S510 Food modernization Act which should be coming out soon from Durbin or Waxman.

Great! There's always a first mover's advantage.

would we have permissible exclusions within the ISO 22000 standard

Unlike ISO 9001, there is no provision for the exclusion of any clauses or sub-clauses in ISO 22000.

 

[tsmith7858]

As Harry mentions the BRC Packaging standard may be more suitable to your needs.

The issue with ISO 22000 at this point is that it is not a GFSI accepted standard which is what most customers of food manufacturer want (and by default will start to be what your customers want).

You can however tie ISO 22000 together with PAS 220 (or the different versions) for FSSC 22000, Synergy 22000 or several others that are using ISO 22000 as a base. This would allow you to get ahead of the government and stay ahead of the next wave of customer requests.

We had ISO 9000 and ISO 22000 and recently upgraded to FSSC 22000. I think you will find that ISO 9000 sets a nice base for any Food Safety System you choose, you will just need to add a HACCP approach for food safety.

 

[Dulcie]

My company produces food packaging labels (such as water bottle labels) in the USA, and I've been trying to get quotes for ISO 22000 registration, partly because we have customers requesting that we have this. I was just told today that ISO 22000 does not allow for packaging companies to be certified/registered. Is that correct? -- It doesn't make sense to me based on what is in the standard, so I just am looking for additional information. Thank you!

 

[Sidney Vianna]

I was just told today that ISO 22000 does not allow for packaging companies to be certified/registered. Is that correct?

No, it isn't. Section 1 (Scope) of ISO 22000 clearly states that the standard can be used by suppliers of packaging materials. If you PM, I will put you in touch with someone that can talk to you about ISO 22000 certification.

 

[harry]

........................ I was just told today that ISO 22000 does not allow for packaging companies to be certified/registered. Is that correct? .........................

Could it be due to something else? Like they don't have auditors for ISO 22000 that have experience in this area? Have you read post #5 (above)?

......... The issue with ISO 22000 at this point is that it is not a GFSI accepted standard which is what most customers of food manufacturer want (and by default will start to be what your customers want) .........

 

[AndyN]

My company produces food packaging labels (such as water bottle labels) in the USA, and I've been trying to get quotes for ISO 22000 registration, partly because we have customers requesting that we have this. I was just told today that ISO 22000 does not allow for packaging companies to be certified/registered. Is that correct? -- It doesn't make sense to me based on what is in the standard, so I just am looking for additional information. Thank you!

We have certified companies who are food packaging businesses. Who told you that it can't be done? If you'd like, we have some technical folks who know GFSI/BRC/SQF and ISO22000/PAS 220 to help you understand what relates to which part of the supply chain. pm me for details...