This document specifies requirements for a food safety management system to enable an organization:
a) to plan, implement, operate, maintain and update a food safety management system aimed at
providing products that, according to their intended use, are safe for consumers;
b) to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutory/regulatory food safety requirements;
c) to evaluate and assess food safety customer requirements and demonstrate conformity with
those mutually agreed customer requirements that relate to food safety;
d) to effectively communicate food safety issues to interested parties within the food chain;
e) to ensure that the organization conforms to its stated food safety policy;
f) to demonstrate conformity to relevant interested parties; and
g) to seek certification or registration of its food safety management system by an external
organization, or make a self‐assessment or self‐declaration of conformity to this document.
All requirements of this document are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations in
the food chain regardless of size and complexity. This includes organizations directly or indirectly
involved in one or more steps of the food chain. Organizations that are directly involved include, but are
not limited to, feed producers, animal food producers, harvesters of wild plants and animals, farmers,
producers of ingredients, food manufacturers, retailers, food services, catering services, organizations
providing cleaning and sanitation services, transportation, storage and distribution services. Other
organizations that are indirectly involved include, but are not limited to, suppliers of equipment,
cleaning and disinfectants, packaging materials, and other food contact materials.
This document allows any organization, including small and/or less developed organizations (e.g. a
small farm, a small packer‐distributor, a small retail or food service outlet) to implement externally
developed elements in the food management system.
The means of meeting any requirements of this document can be accomplished through the use of
internal and/or external resources.
