FSSC 22000 Version 7 Food Safety System Certification in Dubai & UAE

Retailers, multinational food brands and export customers often ask food manufacturers for more than a basic food safety certificate. They want a scheme benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). FSSC 22000 is one of the most widely adopted GFSI-recognised schemes, and it is built on ISO 22000. BRSM Global helps food and food packaging manufacturers in Dubai and across the UAE prepare for FSSC 22000 certification.

Edition status (checked October 2026): FSSC 22000 Version 7 was released on 1 May 2026 and has a 12-month implementation window. Audits to Version 6 are allowed only up to 30 April 2027, and upgrade audits to Version 7 run from 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2028. The scheme is built on ISO 22000:2018, which is itself under revision (not yet published).

What is FSSC 22000 Certification?

FSSC 22000 is a food safety certification scheme. It combines three components: ISO 22000:2018 for the food safety management system, the relevant sector prerequisite programme standard for your type of operation (the ISO/TS 22002 series, such as ISO/TS 22002-1 for food manufacturing), and a set of additional FSSC requirements. The scheme is recognised by GFSI, which is why many global buyers accept it.

The additional requirements go beyond ISO 22000 in areas such as management of services and purchased materials, product labelling and printing, food defence, food fraud mitigation, logo use, management of allergens, environmental monitoring, food loss and waste, and quality control, and the scheme introduced requirements on food safety and quality culture in Version 6. The scheme is revised periodically and has different categories for different industry sectors, so you should confirm the current version, scope categories and transition rules with your certification body. If you want a management system certificate without the full scheme, see our ISO 22000 Food Safety Certification page, and for the hazard analysis fundamentals see HACCP Certification.

Benefits of FSSC 22000 for UAE Businesses

Acceptance by global buyers

GFSI recognition helps your certificate be accepted by retailers and brand owners without repeated customer audits.

Stronger food safety culture

Requirements on leadership, communication and behaviours go beyond procedures to everyday practice.

Better control of fraud and defence risks

Vulnerability assessments for food fraud and food defence reduce exposure to deliberate threats.

Reduced rework and waste

Prerequisite programmes, quality control and loss and waste measures improve efficiency as well as safety.

Export readiness

A GFSI-recognised certificate makes it easier to supply international markets.

FSSC 22000 Requirements

The standard requires you to demonstrate:

ISO 22000:2018: a complete food safety management system with leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement, plus hazard analysis and critical control points.
Sector prerequisite programmes: requirements from the relevant ISO/TS 22002 part for premises, utilities, equipment, cleaning, pest control, personnel hygiene, supplier control and other programmes.
Additional FSSC requirements: scheme rules on services and purchased materials, labelling, food defence, food fraud, allergen management, environmental monitoring and other topics.
Food safety and quality culture: a documented plan and measurable objectives for building the right culture.
Certification rules: scope categories, audit duration, unannounced audits as required by the scheme, and use of the certificate and logo.

FSSC 22000 Certification Process: How BRSM Global Gets You Certified

Our approach follows the four-stage process that BRSM Global applies to every management system project: guidance, implementation, auditing and post-certification. For FSSC 22000 certification, that translates into the following eight practical steps.

Step 1: Free consultation and scope definition

We start with a conversation about your business, sites, activities and customers. We confirm whether FSSC 22000 fits your goals, define the scope of certification and agree a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Gap analysis

Our consultants compare your current practices, documents and records with the requirements of FSSC 22000. You receive a clear gap report with priorities, so effort goes where it matters.

Step 3: Planning and fixed quote

Based on the gap analysis we prepare a project plan with responsibilities and milestones and a fixed written quote, so you know the investment before work begins.

Step 4: Documentation and implementation

We help you develop the policies, procedures, registers and records the standard requires, in plain language and sized to your organisation, and we help your team put them into daily practice. This is the 'Guidance' and 'Implementation' stage of our process.

Step 5: Training and awareness

Management and staff are trained on their responsibilities under FSSC 22000. Where relevant we also train internal auditors, who will later audit your system.

Step 6: Internal audit and management review

Once the system has been operating, we help you run an internal audit and a management review. These are mandatory and give you the chance to fix weaknesses before the external auditors arrive.

Step 7: Certification audit support

The independent certification audit is carried out in two stages. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness. Stage 2 verifies implementation on site through interviews, observation and records. We prepare your team and support you during the audit; this is the 'Auditing' stage of our process. Our guide to preparing for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit explains what auditors look for.

Step 8: Certificate issue and post-certification support

After any nonconformities are closed, the certificate is issued, normally for three years with annual surveillance audits. We stay with you after certification, advising on changes, standard updates and surveillance audit preparation, which is our 'Post-certification' stage.

Documents Required for FSSC 22000

Common documented information includes:

Food safety policy, scope and objectives
Hazard analysis, HACCP plan and prerequisite programme records
Food defence and food fraud vulnerability assessments and plans
Allergen management procedure and records
Environmental monitoring programme and results
Supplier approval and purchased materials control records
Cleaning, sanitation, pest control and maintenance records
Training and competence records, including food safety culture activities
Traceability, recall and incident management records and test results
Internal audit, management review and corrective action records

How Long Does FSSC 22000 Take?

A typical FSSC 22000 project takes about 4 to 8 months for sites with an existing HACCP or ISO 22000 system, and longer for new sites. Certification includes a two-stage audit, with a three-year certificate cycle with annual surveillance audits under the scheme rules, including unannounced audits where required. Confirm current scheme timelines and transition arrangements with your certification body.

Who Needs FSSC 22000?

This is relevant to a wide range of organisations, including:

Food manufacturers and processors supplying retailers or exporting
Packaging manufacturers for food contact materials
Producers of ingredients, additives and animal feed under relevant categories
Central kitchens and catering producers that supply multiple customers
Suppliers to hotel groups, airlines and multinational brands

FSSC 22000 in Dubai and the UAE

The UAE imports most of its food and has an active food manufacturing and re-export sector, and Dubai Municipality sets food safety requirements for establishments in the emirate. Dubai Municipality guidance expects food establishments to implement an approved food safety programme, and FSSC 22000 does not replace those local requirements. It adds a globally recognised layer that many international buyers ask for.

If you export from the UAE or supply multinational customers from Dubai, FSSC 22000 may be specified in supplier agreements. Our consultants help you decide whether the full scheme, or ISO 22000 alone, fits your customers. For practical hazard control topics, see our guide to food allergen management in kitchens.

Why Choose BRSM Global in Dubai & UAE?

Choosing the right partner is as important as choosing the right standard. BRSM Global is an international inspection, training and certification group with a one-stop approach to ISO and related certifications, and our Dubai team is close to your business.

Local presence in Dubai and the UAE

Our UAE office is at Executive Towers, Tower 1, Office 1102, Business Bay, Dubai. We meet you on site, understand local practice and respond quickly. We also have offices in Riyadh (Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Tower) and Muscat (Al Khuwair), which helps if your organisation operates across the Gulf.

Proven experience

BRSM Global has completed more than 5,000 projects for over 2,500 clients in more than 10 countries, working with 20+ associations. Our consultants combine hands-on industry experience with deep knowledge of the standards.

Practical systems, not paperwork

We design systems that fit your size and your sector, so your team actually uses them. Explore our Food sector page and our other industry sectors to see where we work.

Complete one-stop service

From gap analysis and documentation to training, internal audit, certification audit support and ongoing advice, one team supports you at every stage. You can read more about our company on the About Us page or browse practical insights on our blog.

Transparent and independent

We give you a fixed written quote after the gap analysis, explain what is included, and keep consultancy separate from the independent certification audit so that your certificate retains its credibility. Before you commit to any certification body, we recommend you verify its accreditation status for your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions About FSSC 22000

What is FSSC 22000?

A GFSI-recognised food safety certification scheme that combines ISO 22000, sector prerequisite programmes and additional FSSC requirements.

How is it different from ISO 22000?

FSSC 22000 includes ISO 22000 but adds the prerequisite programme standard and extra scheme requirements, and it is recognised by GFSI.

Is FSSC 22000 mandatory in the UAE?

Not by law. Customers may require it, and local food safety rules still apply.

Which version applies?

The scheme is revised from time to time. Confirm the current version and transition rules with your certification body before planning.

Does it cover food service and restaurants?

Scope categories differ by sector, so confirm whether your activity is covered. Restaurants often use HACCP or ISO 22000 instead.

How much does FSSC 22000 certification cost in the UAE?

It depends on the size of the site, category and number of employees. We quote after a scoping review.

Related Services

Many organisations combine standards in one integrated management system. You may also be interested in:

For practical background reading, see food allergen management in kitchens and how to prepare for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit.

Get Your FSSC 22000 Certification with BRSM Global

Ready to start your FSSC 22000 journey in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Tell us about your business and we will respond with a gap analysis plan and a fixed quote.