HACCP Certification: Your Guide to Food Safety

For companies operating in the food industry, HACCP plays a crucial role. It ensures that all processes along the production chain are controlled to guarantee the safety of the products. HACCP certification not only helps ensure compliance with legal regulations but also strengthens the trust of consumers and authorities by demonstrating that the company adheres to the highest safety standards.

 

Key facts about HACCP certificationImprovement of food safetyCompliance with regulatory requirementsIncreased customer satisfaction
Market access and export opportunitiesReduction of production failuresLower recall costs
 

What You Can Expect from HACCP Certification by PIAQ:

 

International accreditations guarantee a neutral and valuable certificationQuotes within 24 hoursCertification audit achievable within 2-4 weeks
Preferred audit date secured through early coordinationHACCP certification starting from €1,790Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
 

Fill out our HACCP quote form now! Quick, straightforward, and without obligations – receive your free, personalized, and non-binding quote within 24 hours.

 

HACCP Certification Process

 

 
FAQ – Learn More About HACCP Certification

Do you want to learn more about HACCP certification? Our experts have answered the most important questions for you.

HACCP certification (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) offers numerous benefits for companies in the food industry. Here are some of the key benefits:

  1. Improvement of food safety
  2. Compliance with legal regulations
  3. Increased customer trust
  4. Cost reduction
  5. Market advantages
  6. Improved process efficiency

These benefits show how HACCP certification can help companies improve their food safety practices while expanding their market opportunities.

The cost of HACCP certification can vary depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of the organization, the specific requirements of food safety standards, the number of production sites to be included in the certification scope, and the extent of necessary preparations.

As a rough estimate, certification costs for a medium-sized organization can start from €1,790, while large multinational corporations or organizations in highly regulated industries may face higher costs.

To obtain HACCP certification, a company must implement a functional food safety management system that complies with HACCP guidelines. The certification is based on the internationally recognized principles of the HACCP system, which systematically identifies, evaluates, and controls risks in food production.

HACCP certification is particularly relevant for companies involved in food production, catering, restaurants, food transportation, or other areas of the food chain. It helps minimize potential risks, increase efficiency, and expand market access, especially in highly regulated markets and international trade activities.

From the perspective of the certification body PIAQ Deutschland GmbH, the HACCP certification process includes several key steps, the duration of which may vary.

Overall, the certification process from the perspective of the certification body can take between 1 and 2 months, provided the company is already well-prepared for the audit. It is important to note that this estimate only covers the period during which the certification body is actively involved in the process.

If you would like to learn more about how long HACCP certification might take for your company, we are happy to assist. You can call us, email us, or use the contact form. We will be happy to explain the process and the expected duration of certification in a personal conversation.

Yes, HACCP certification is well integrable with other standards, particularly food safety and quality management standards. Companies can make their management systems more efficient by combining different standards while achieving more comprehensive safety and quality goals. Here are some common standards with which HACCP can be integrated:

  • ISO 22000
  • ISO 9001

The integration of HACCP with such standards reduces duplication, increases efficiency, and ensures more comprehensive control of risks and processes throughout the supply chain.

An HACCP certificate confirms the application of a systematic approach to food safety.
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.
The certificate addresses the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards.
It is applied throughout the entire production and process chain.
 

The validity of an HACCP certificate is generally limited in time.
In most cases, the certificate is valid for three year.
Continued validity depends on regular evaluations.
 

An HACCP certificate is required for organizations operating in the food sector. This includes companies involved in food production, processing, or placing food on the market. Businesses engaged in food storage and distribution are also covered. Food service and catering organizations fall within the scope as well. The requirement is based on applicable food safety regulations.


An HACCP certificate is obtained by applying to an  certification body. The organization must have an HACCP system in operation. The application covers a clearly defined scope of food-related activities. Compliance with HACCP requirements is verified. Upon successful verification, the HACCP certificate is issued.

Implementation of HACCP is legally required in many countries, especially for food producers and processors. The requirement ensures food safety and minimizes risks throughout the production and supply chain.

The three pillars of food safety are prerequisite programs (PRPs), the HACCP system, and traceability throughout the supply chain. Prerequisite programs cover basic hygiene and operational requirements. The HACCP system ensures the identification, assessment, and control of hazards. Traceability enables the tracking of food and raw materials. These three pillars form the basis of internationally recognized food safety standards.


ISO 22000 is not better than HACCP but broader in structure and scope.
HACCP defines the basic method for identifying and controlling food safety hazards.
ISO 22000 is an internationally recognized management system standard that systematically incorporates HACCP.
Within ISO 22000 certification, additional organizational and process-related requirements are assessed.
HACCP therefore constitutes a fundamental component of ISO 22000.


In general, any certification carried out according to a standard, regulation, scheme, or defined requirements by an independent certification body is not free of charge. This also applies to HACCP.
Organizations may develop and implement an HACCP system internally. In this case, the internal development of the HACCP concept can be considered cost-free, provided no external services are used.
However, once an organization wishes to have its HACCP system assessed by a certification body and confirmed by an official certificate, audit and certification costs will inevitably apply. Therefore, an external HACCP certification is always subject to fees.

ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management systems.
FSSC 22000 is based on ISO 22000 but includes additional sector-specific requirements.
While ISO 22000 defines general management system requirements, FSSC 22000 adds technical specifications.
FSSC 22000 is recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), whereas ISO 22000 is not.
Both standards follow a structured approach to managing food safety.
 

Good Hygiene Practices (GHP): These form the prerequisite programs of the HACCP system and cover basic hygiene requirements related to personnel, facilities, equipment, and operational hygiene.

HACCP System: This element ensures the identification, evaluation, and control of biological, chemical, and physical food safety hazards through the implementation of critical control points.

Management systems and traceability: This enables the systematic management of food safety processes, proper record-keeping, and effective traceability throughout the food chain.

These three core elements form the basis of audit and certification activities carried out by certification bodies.

 
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