What is ISO 22000?
ISO 22000 is the international standard for a Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The current edition, ISO 22000:2018, sets out the requirements for any organization in the food chain to identify and control food safety hazards and consistently deliver safe food. It applies to all food businesses, regardless of size – from producers and manufacturers to caterers, retailers, and suppliers of packaging and equipment – and helps reduce food safety risks while improving overall FSMS performance.
How ISO 22000 works?
ISO 22000:2018 follows ISO’s harmonized high-level structure (Annex SL), so it integrates easily with ISO 9001. It brings together four key elements: a management system, interactive communication along the food chain, prerequisite programmes (PRPs – the basic hygiene conditions), and HACCP principles (hazard analysis and control at critical points). Note that for organizations needing GFSI recognition (often required by major retailers), the relevant scheme is FSSC 22000, which combines ISO 22000 with sector PRPs and additional requirements.
Why does an organization need ISO 22000?
By achieving ISO 22000 certification, an organization can:
- Strengthen consumer confidence in its food products
- Demonstrate robust, systematic food safety
- Reduce food safety hazards and the risk of unsafe product
- Win new customers and reach international markets
- Meet statutory and regulatory requirements
- Improve process efficiency and overall FSMS performance
ISO 22000 and food safety in Oman
Food safety is closely regulated in Oman. The Ministry of Health oversees food safety and food control, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and the municipalities (such as Muscat Municipality) that inspect and license food establishments, while DGSM (under MoCIIP) maintains the relevant standards. ISO 22000 gives Oman food businesses a structured, internationally recognized way to meet these expectations – valuable for food manufacturers, caterers, hospitality, and exporters supplying GCC and international markets. It also supports tender eligibility and Oman’s broader quality and food-security goals under Vision 2040.
Why choose IAS in Oman?
Integrated Assessment Services (IAS) audits and issues ISO management system certifications across widely adopted standards, including ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 50001, and ISO 22301. IAS provides ISO certification with JAS-ANZ accreditation (an IAF MLA signatory) through its group company Empowering Assurance Systems (EAS), and Lead Auditor training accredited by CQI/IRCA. Our qualified, experienced auditors assess the effective implementation of your food safety management system. Beyond Oman, IAS also serves Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
IAS certification and training services
Alongside management system certification, IAS offers product certifications such as CE Marking, Kosher, Halal, RoHS, GOST-R, and Green. IAS is also a leading ISO training provider in Oman, offering lead auditor, internal auditor, and awareness and foundation courses. Our ISO 22000 certification process is designed to help food businesses build their FSMS to the international standard, at a competitive price.
Contact IAS to learn more about ISO 22000 certification in Oman and our audit process.
Explore more
- ISO 9001 Certification in Oman – quality management, often integrated with food safety
- ISO 14001 Certification in Oman – environmental management
- System Certification – all IAS management system schemes