TSE ISO/TS 22003

TSE ISO/TS 22003 is a technical specification focused on the way bodies that audit and certify food safety management systems should operate. Its subject is the certification of a food safety management system against ISO 22000, or against other defined FSMS requirements, and the confidence that such certification can provide to customers within the supply chain.

A framework for certification bodies

The technical value of this document lies in making certification a structured conformity assessment activity rather than a purely administrative task. In FSMS auditing, the emphasis is on reviewing documented arrangements, operational processes, hazard control logic, and the overall effectiveness of the system. In food safety, this means assessing how an organisation manages safety, not simply testing the product itself.

The scope also draws a clear boundary around what is being certified: an FSMS that complies with ISO 22000 or with another specified set of FSMS requirements. This creates a common language for certification practice and helps improve comparability and trust across supplier-customer relationships.

What a food safety management system means in practice

A food safety management system is a management framework built around hazard analysis, control measures, monitoring, corrective action, and continual improvement. It is designed to manage food safety risks systematically throughout the chain, from raw materials to distribution. For certification bodies, the key distinction is between evaluating the existence and implementation of a management system and directly performing product inspection or regulatory enforcement.

• Applies to audit and certification practices based on ISO 22000 or other specified FSMS requirements.
• Addresses the applicable rules for auditing food safety management systems.
• Aims to give customers confidence in how supplier certification is granted.
• Supports organisations involved in conformity assessment and certification.