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

 

1
Request a Quote

2
Quote & Contract

3
Pre-Audit

4
Certification Audit

5
Certificate Issuance

5
Surveillance Audit 1

6
Surveillance Audit 2

7
Recertification

Certification Application - Certification Inquiry

The first step towards certification is the certification inquiry. You can submit the certification inquiry via our website. We will process your certification inquiry immediately and contact you within 24 hours.

Fill out our simple and straightforward quote form now – completely without obligations!

Certification Quote & Certification Contract

After reviewing your certification application, we will create a non-binding quote, which you will typically receive within 24 hours.

Please return the signed quote to us if it meets your requirements. After receiving and verifying your confirmation, we will also sign the quote. Only with our signature does the quote become a binding contract.

Pre-Audit (Optional)

The pre-audit offers you the opportunity to check in advance whether your food safety management system complies with HACCP guidelines and whether your company is ready for certification.

The pre-audit lasts one day. This voluntary review helps identify and address potential weaknesses early.

Certification Audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)

The certification audit is divided into two phases: system analysis (Stage 1) and practical implementation (Stage 2).

Stage 1 - System Analysis: In this part of the audit, we review:

  • The documentation of the management system
  • Site-specific conditions
  • The customer's understanding of the standards
  • The scope of certification
  • Applicable legal and regulatory requirements
  • Conduct of internal audits and management reviews
  • Availability of resources for the Stage 2 audit
  • Readiness for the Stage 2 audit

Stage 2 - Practical Implementation: In this phase, it is checked whether:

  • The organization meets the standard requirements
  • The management system is effective
  • All relevant legal, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements are met

 

Certificate Issuance

As part of a technical review by the PIAQ Certification Committee, it is determined whether the audit was conducted properly, whether all required documents are complete, and whether it has been shown that the standard requirements for the management system are adequately met. Only then can the certificate be issued.

The issued certificate is valid for three years. However, an annual surveillance audit confirms the maintenance of the certificate.

Surveillance Audit 1

To ensure continuous compliance with certification standards and confirm the effectiveness of the management system, two surveillance audits are conducted in the following two years after the certificate issuance.

The first surveillance audit takes place nine months after the certificate issuance date.

The first surveillance audit ensures that the organization continues to meet the established requirements and that the implemented systems and processes remain effective after the initial certification.

Surveillance Audit 2

The second surveillance audit takes place 12 months after the first surveillance audit.

The second surveillance audit ensures that the organization continues to meet the established requirements and that the implemented systems and processes remain effective after the initial certification.

Recertification

To renew your certificate after three years, a re-certification audit is required. This usually takes place four months before the certificate's expiration date and is similar in scope to the Stage 2 audit.

With recertification, a new certification process begins. Upon successful certification, a new certificate is issued.

The issued certificate is valid for three years. However, an annual surveillance audit confirms the maintenance of the certificate.

 
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.

 
How Can We Help You?

 

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