Reading the scope line on an ISO 22000 certificate

The scope line is the part of an ISO 22000 certificate that tells you what was audited. Under ISO 22003-1:2022 clause 9.1.2.2 it has two parts for each site: a food chain category or subcategory from Table A.1, and a brief description of the main activities or processes audited. Read both.

What the code tells you

The letter is the category. Where a category is split, the subcategory code adds a suffix to the letter. A few, as printed in Table A.1:

• CI Processing of perishable animal products
• CIV Processing of ambient stable products
• FI Retail/wholesale, and FII Brokering/trading

The code tells you which part of the food chain was audited. Under Annex A, it also sets audit team competence and audit duration. It does not tell you which products.

A letter on its own can be complete. Categories D, E, G, H, I, J and K have no subcategories in Table A.1. A, B, C and F do, and clause 8.2 requires the certification documents to identify the categories and subcategories "in detail".

What the wording tells you

The description is where you find out whether the product you buy is in. A CIV scope describing biscuit production says nothing about a chilled product made in the same building.

Clause 9.1.2.3 limits what the wording may contain. It shall not be misleading, shall not leave out activities that can influence the food safety of the end products, and shall not include promotional statements, brands or claims. A brand name or a slogan does not belong in a scope line.

The category is identified for each site. ISO/IEC 17021-1 §8.2.2 a) requires the certificate to give the name and geographical location of the certified client or, for a multi-site certification, the location of the headquarters and of the sites within its scope. A product made at a site that is not listed is not covered by that certificate.

What to ask when the scope is vague

• The code stops at A, B, C or F. Ask which subcategory applies.
• The wording is generic, such as "production of food products". Ask which products and processes, and at which site.
• One step is done elsewhere, such as cold storage or packing. Ask whether that step is in this scope.
• The certificate is not new. A scope can be reduced during the cycle (17021-1 §9.6.5.5), and under §8.1.2 c) the certification body gives a certified client's scope on request. Ask, or check the register.

And the issuing body

A certification body uses Table A.1 to define the subcategories, or categories, in which it wishes to operate (Annex A, item a). Check in the accreditation body's register that its accreditation covers the category on the certificate, or the cluster that contains it (Table A.1, footnote a).

CAS — An EGAC accredited MS certification body No. 012418. Accredited scope: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 50001 and ISO 22301. Certificates accredited for ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 22000 and 50001 fall within EGAC's IAF MLA scope; ISO 22301 is accredited by EGAC and sits outside that scope.

Verify any certificate: cas.com.eg/certsearch