This practical workshop based course is for those intending to acquire the competencies to audit an organisation’s entire Food Safety Management System (FSMS) to meet the requirements of the FSSC 22000 scheme, either as a third or second-party auditor.
The Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) includes a complete certification Scheme for the auditing and certification of a Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS).
The scheme was developed through extensive and open consultation with many global stakeholders and uses international and independent standards such as ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 22003, and technical specifications for sector-specific Pre-Requisite Programs (PRPs), such as ISO/TS 22002-1.
The FSSC Scheme cover sectors where a technical specification for sector PRPs has been developed and follows the food chain category description as defined in ISO/TS 22003
This intensive, challenging and highly interactive CQI and IRCA Certified training program is for those people who require an in-depth understanding of the knowledge and skills required to perform second and third-party audits of a FSMS against FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000. Many of the skills acquired on this course can be applied to auditing other Food Safety Management Systems.
Please note – If you are looking for a public course and your initial interest is ISO 22000, the FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor course may still be suitable as the course covers ISO 22000 with additional food safety requirements.
Fees
COURSE OUTLINES
Who Should Attend?
- Food safety professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an FSMS that meets FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000
- Food safety auditors seeking to enhance auditing knowledge or achieve formal recognition
- Auditors from any organisation in the food chain who need to lead audits and audit teams, including suppliers, against FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000
Course Content
- PDCA cycle and its use within an FSMS
- The FSSC standard (ISO 22000, ISO 22002 pre-requisite standards, and FSSC additional requirements)
- Terms and definitions used in FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000
- FSMS Documentation
- ISO 19011 / ISO 17021 and auditing
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party audits
- Benefits of third-party accredited certification
- The audit process
- Selecting an audit team
- Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, unannounced, and recertification audits
- Auditor responsibilities and competencies
- Planning and conducting an audit
- Auditing Food Safety Management System requirements
- Generating audit findings and nonconformities
- Reporting and following up of an audit
Benefits
This practical workshop-based course develops the knowledge and competencies needed to perform an audit of an FSMS. Delegates will also gain a wider understanding of food safety management system design and implementation and understand how HACCP must be embedded for an effective FSMS. Successful completion, including achieving the 50% pass mark, satisfies the formal training requirements for registration as an Auditor, Lead Auditor, or Principal Auditor with CQI and IRCA Certified training under the food safety auditor scheme.Certification
Delegates successfully completing the course and examination will be awarded a CQI and IRCA accredited certificate.COURSE DETAILS
Tutor
Our course leaders are professional practitioners in the food sector and are qualified, registered, and experienced auditors. They have extensive knowledge across primary food processing, manufacturing, retailing, and catering, and fully understand the technical, legislative, and people challenges in delivering robust FSMS.Duration
5 daysTimes
08:30 – 17:00 (Days 1 to 4) 08:30 – 15:30 (Day 5 – Online Exam)- 8th – 12th June 2026
- 16th – 20th November 2026
PREREQUISITES
- Knowledge of the principles of food safety management including pre-requisite programmes and HACCP
- The relationship between food safety management and the provision of safe food
- Awareness of common examples of relevant national and local FSMS legislation (in the food sector and country relevant to the delegate)
- Knowledge of the requirements of FSSC 22000, ISO/TS 22002 and the commonly used food safety management terms and definitions as given in FSSC 22000
- The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle