BSI Invites Industry Feedback on New International Food Safety Standard

The BSI Group is seeking consultation from the food industry on the draft European and international standard, EN ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems — Requirements for organizations throughout the food chain.

This draft standard specifies the requirements for a food safety management system that combines the recognized key elements for ensuring food safety along the food chain. These include:

• Interactive communication
• System management
• Process control
• HACCP principles
•  Prerequisite programmes

The aim of the standard is to enable an organisation to:

• Demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards
• Meet customer and legal food safety requirements, and
• Enhance customer satisfaction

The standard is intended to be applicable to all organisations in the food chain, wishing to design and implement an effective food safety management system.

Charles Pertwee, of BSI Management Systems, says: "EN ISO 22000 aims to harmonise the requirements for food safety management in food and food related business on a global level. This standard is not merely about meeting the minimum legal requirements but is intended to be the ‘Michelin Star’ equivalent in the food safety arena.

As part of the development of the standard, a draft is now available for public consultation and comment. This is an opportunity for organisations that have not been involved in the earlier stages of the standards development to influence its content. The national committee will review all comments submitted before returning the consensus UK vote and agreed comments to the international and European secretariats. The latest date for receipt of comments on the draft is 30th September 2004.

To purchase a copy of the EN ISO 22000 DPC, please contact BSI Customer Services on +44 (0) 20 8996 9001 and quote either Draft EN ISO 22000 or the DPC reference number 04/30075589DC. Alternatively, email requests to cservices@bsi-global.com

A full list of the draft standards (DPCs) currently available for public comment is published in Update Standards magazine each month. This is available to BSI subscribing members free of charge. Alternatively, view the currently available DPCs on the BSI website (www.bsi-global.com).

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330