Notification to FSMS Certification Bodies about the Transition Plan

In 2022, the ISO 22003-1:2022 standard was published, titled "Food safety — Part 1: Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems." This standard is intended to be used in combination with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 by organizations that perform verification and certification of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS).

Certification of a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) for an organization is one of the ways to ensure that the organization implements a food safety management system in accordance with its policy and internationally accepted principles of food safety.

This document is adopted in accordance with ISO 22003-2, which is used in combination with ISO/IEC 17065. 

ISO 22003-1:2022 replaces the international technical specification ISO/TS 22003:2013, which is simultaneously withdrawn but remains valid until the end of the transition period.

 More information about the changes from ISO 22003-1:2022 compared to ISO/TS 22003:2013, as well as details on the actions to be taken for a proper transition, are provided in the mandatory document IAF MD27:2023, Transition Requirements for ISO 22003-1:2022, Edition 1, from August 30th, 2023 (https://iaf.nu/iaf_system/uploads/documents/IAF_MD_27_22003-1_Transition_30082023.pdf).

Respecting IAF MD27:2023, the Accreditation Body of Serbia has established timelines for the following activities:

Activity:	Deadline:
Accreditation body:
Understanding the updates in ISO 22003-1:2022 compared to ISO/TS 22003:2013	01.12.2023
Harmonization with the management system documents	20.12.2023
Training of employees in the Accreditation Body of Serbia involved in the accreditation procedures of certification bodies for FSMS, assessors, and experts	22.12.2023
Conducting an informative seminar dedicated to certification bodies, with a special focus on the key changes in ISO 22003-1:2022 compared to ISO/TS 22003:2013	25.12.2023
Notification to certification bodies about the readiness of the Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) for assessments according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022. Note: Starting from the date of this information release, ATS will only accept applications for initial accreditation and expansion of accreditation scopes if they relate to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022.	25.12.2023
The deadline for transitioning to accreditation according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022. Note: In case that a certification body does not transition to accreditation according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022 by the end of the transition period, ATS will reduce the scope of accreditation.	31.12.2024
Sertification body:
Submission of an application for transition* to accreditation according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022. Note: From the date of this information release, a certification body can submit an application for initial accreditation or an application for the extension of accreditation scopes only if it pertains to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022.	01.02.2024
Deadline for conducting initial certifications according to SRPS ISO/TS 22003:2015	Latest by the completion of transition activities or no later than 30.06.2024
Deadline by which the certification body must transition to certifying all clients according to SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022 Note: Certificates resulting from certification processes conducted in accordance with the requirements of SRPS ISO 22003-1 can be issued with the accreditation symbol only after ATS makes a decision on the transition	31.12.2024
Deadline by which the certification body is obligated to implement all changes affecting existing clients, such as, for example, multi-site sampling and calculation of verification times (acceptable practices for certification bodies are described in more detail in IAF MD27:2023)	30.06.2025

Certification bodies for the certification of management systems accredited according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO/TS 22003:2015 are required to, after a detailed analysis of the changes introduced by the new normative document, SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022, prepare a transition plan. In accordance with the specified deadlines, they formalize their request for transition to accreditation according to SRPS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022 by submitting a transition application*. This application should include a description of the activities taken to achieve alignment, as well as evidence confirming the implementation of these activities, pertaining to

Identification of all changes introduced by the new standard.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Defining our own transition plan designed to include at least: • A list of changes introduced by the new standard affecting relevant activities and processes of the certification body (e.g., verification process, competency management, communication with clients); • An analysis of the impacts of changes and activities idetified to ensure compliance with the new standard (e.g., changes in documentation of the management system, IT tools); •Identification of deadlines for implementing idetified activites.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Communication with certified clients about changes introduced by the standard and policies defined for managing the transition.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Identification of all document that have been changed or need to be modified to align with the changes introduced by the new standard (e.g., new quotation forms, contracts with clients), with clearly marked changes that need to be made or have been made.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Review of certification contracts (e.g., in accordance with the changes related to the scope of certification, changes in certification categories, audit timing, multi-location sampling), with clearly specified changes and deadlines.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Training of all staff involved in the certification of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) with regard to relevant tranistion aspects (planning training with clearly defined deadlines for implementation, training content, and execution of training).

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Planning audit activities with certified clients and renewals of certificate.

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

Other activites determined by the certification body (if applicable).

Findings confirming that the activity has been implemented: - ...

ATS shall conduct and assessment for the transition by reviewing the submitted documentation within a duration of 1 man-day (0.5 man-day for the team leader and 0.5 man-day for the team member – technical assessor). ATS shall conduct an assessment for the purpose of passing by reviewing the submitted documentation for 1 man-day (0.5 man-day each for the team leader and team member - technical assessor). If necessary, ATS reserves the right to request additional documentation. The findings of the conducted assessment shall be presented to the certification body in the agreed term for assessment.
If it is not possible to assess the transition based on the submitted documentation, an on-site assessment or an assessment remotely shall be carried out.

During February 2024, ATS shall conduct assessments of all transfer applications submitted by February 1, 2024.

The effects of the implementation of changes resulting from compliance with SRPS ISO 22003-1:2022 shall be assessed during regular assessments in the accreditation cycle.

Belgrade, 15.12.2023