AFAQ-EAQA launches ISO 22000 food safety certification

AFAQ-EAQA has launched the ISO 22000 certification in the UK, which will now give every organisation working in the food sector the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to high-quality food safety, based on a single and unique international standard. ISO 22000 applies to every stage of the food process, from producers to retailers, and from family-run SMEs to large industrial concerns.

[ClickPress, Tue Oct 17 2006] In recent years, food scares around the world have placed food safety at the top of everybody’s agenda. As the only international standard on food safety, ISO 22000 harmonises practices in the sector and facilitates trade. AFAQ-EAQA, through parent company AFAQ AFNOR International, has now added this standard to its wide-ranging certification portfolio.

Why should a company or any other organisation choose ISO 22000 certification? There are many advantages. ISO 22000 will enable organisations to meet European regulatory requirements by combining the principles of HACCP with those of traceability. It will also ensure international recognition, opening new doors for exporters. Certification to ISO 22000 will contribute towards effectively managing all risks associated with food safety, while the company concerned will gain from skilled external impartiality and vision. Finally, ISO 22000 will commit the organization to a truly dynamic, continual improvement process.

AFAQ AFNOR International issued its first ISO 22000 certificates just weeks after the publication of the international standard. As a major player in all areas of certification and training, AFAQ AFNOR International has extensive experience in the agro-food sector, with over 2,000 certificates issued. Thanks to its expertise and know-how, AFAQ AFNOR International understands the challenges faced by the sector. Its ISO 22000 auditors are selected on the basis of their agro-food experience, their in-depth knowledge of the standard itself, and their high-level auditing qualifications.

Compatible with all existing certification standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IFS, and BRC), ISO 22000 is expected to become the benchmark in food safety. Companies that certify their food-safety management systems demonstrate their ability to manage food-safety risks, and ISO 22000 also enables organisations to confirm the effectiveness of their systems and processes. Certifying to ISO 22000 with AFAQ-EAQA guarantees a management system for safe products for the end-consumer, and delivers confidence in the integrity of the company’s system.

About AFAQ AFNOR International

With 60,000 sites certified in 90 countries, AFAQ AFNOR International is a world leader in management system certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001) and training. The UK office, AFAQ-EAQA, is located in London.

AFAQ AFNOR International provides a complete package of certification and training services that are respected the world over. AFAQ AFNOR International offers an extensive range of products, adapted to the needs of every customer — ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BRC Food & Packaging, IFS version 4, product conformity certification, HACCP assessments, assessment based on the draft ISO 22000 family of standards (DIS), and third-party audits.

AFAQ AFNOR International accompanies the client every step of the way, thus meeting the specific requirements of each customer.

For more information, contact: www.afaq.afnor.co.uk



Kate AMBLER – Press Officer
French Technology Press Bureau (FTPB)
21, Grosvenor Place
London, SW1X 7TB (United Kingdom)
Telephone: 020-7235-5330
Email: contact.ftpb@ubifrance.fr
Web site: www.infotechfrance.com/london/

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