FSSC 22000 Version 6 is now the active version of the scheme, and audits against it are well underway across South Africa. While the core architecture (ISO 22000 + sector PRPs + additional requirements) is unchanged, the additional requirements have been tightened in ways that genuinely affect day-to-day operations.

The shifts that matter most

  • Food safety and quality culture is now explicit, with measurable objectives, communication, training and performance review.
  • Equipment management requires a documented purchase specification, risk assessment and change-management process for new and modified equipment.
  • Food loss and waste must be addressed in the FSMS with a documented strategy, targets and reporting.
  • Quality control has been formalised, with quality parameters, monitoring and corrective action requirements.
  • Environmental monitoring programmes (already required for several categories) are now more clearly defined.

What auditors are actually looking for

In our readiness audits we are seeing certification bodies focus on three things: evidence that culture is measured not just declared, that equipment changes flow through a controlled process from spec to sign-off, and that quality parameters are linked back to customer and regulatory requirements.

Practical preparation steps

  1. Run a Version 6 gap audit against your existing FSMS — do not assume Version 5.1 evidence is sufficient.
  2. Build or refresh your culture plan with at least one measurable indicator per pillar (vision, values, communication, training, performance, behaviour).
  3. Document your equipment lifecycle from URS through commissioning and verification.
  4. Add food loss and waste KPIs to your management review pack.
  5. Update your internal audit schedule and competence matrix to cover the new clauses.

If you would like a structured Version 6 gap assessment, our team runs them as a fixed-scope engagement with a remediation roadmap and a re-audit before your certification visit.