Every company has an obligation to its customers to provide safe, quality, and legal food. Certification under a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized food safety management program is a growing requirement within key food product supply chains—one that is driven by customer/market demands. The GFSI system provides a high degree of confidence that food safety management systems (FSMS) are adequately designed, implemented, and maintained. 

The requirements of the GFSI-benchmarked certification schemes can be complex, and the certification process can be long, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Initiatives such as the FSSC Development Program can serve as an entry point for organizations to help implement a conforming FSMS without the additional challenge of achieving full certification.

What Is the FSSC Development Program?

The FSSC Development Program provides a flexible approach to food safety conformity, allowing SMEs to demonstrate to the food supply chain and their customers that food safety is a priority. The FSSC Development Program is aligned with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) according to CODEX Alimentarius, GFSI Global Markets, and the food safety elements of ISO 22000 and the related sector technical specifications.

The Program offers a series of clear steps to help organizations develop an effective FSMS and provides a pathway to achieve full FSSC 22000 certification, while building the maturity of the FSMS. The Program applies to SMEs in the following sectors:

• Food and feed manufacturing
• Catering and food service
• Retail, wholesale, and e-commerce
• Transport and storage
• Packaging (new as of May 2025 – see below)

How Does It Work?

FSSC outlines the following proposed steps for achieving conformity under the FSSC Development Program:

1. Reflect: SMEs review the Program requirements and then complete a self-evaluation using the free Self-Assessment Checklists. Each sector listed above has its own checklist to assess sector-specific requirements. The self-assessment requires SMEs to consider their operations, focusing primarily on existing FSMS elements and prerequisite programs. A second-party auditor may provide additional value conducting this initial assessment.
2. Prepare: Once the SME has completed the self-assessment and made appropriate changes, the organization will work with an FSSC Development Program Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) to schedule a complete assessment of the FSMS. The CAB will work with the SME to identify and help to address any nonconformities identified.
3. Conform: After a successful assessment, the CAB will issue a Conformity Statement, including any corrective actions needed. This statement serves as evidence of improvements the SME has made toward achieving full certification. At this point, the organization will be listed on FSSC’s List of Conforming Organizations. To maintain conforming status, an annual assessment is required. Once the SME reaches this level, it can continue conforming to the Development Program or proceed toward attaining full FSSC 22000 certification.

What Are the Version 2.0 Updates?

For companies interested or already involved in the FSSC Development Program, Foundation FSSC released a series of improvements (Version 2.0) on May 20, 2025 to better support conformance. Based on the results of a global survey, FSSC updated the Program for the following reasons:

• Include Category I: Packaging in the Program’s scope.
• Adjust the duration of the conformity assessment to better suit SMEs.
• Provide enhanced support to participants, including guidance documents, training, and webinars.
• Increase the Program’s awareness and visibility throughout the marketplace and, correspondingly, strengthen acceptance of the Program throughout the supply chain (i.e., specifying organizations and large buyers).

The primary changes in Version 2.0 include the following:

• Transition to a single conformity level—versus two different levels—aligned with the current Level 2 in Version 1.1.
• Implementation of a full HACCP system aligned with ISO 22000, including critical control points (CCPs) and operational prerequisite programs (OPRPs).
• Shift from a question-based structure to a requirements-based structure in the self-assessment.

Assessments against Version 2.0 went into effect on June 1, 2025; however, conformity assessments against Version 1.1 may still be conducted until May 31, 2026, when everything will transition to Version 2.

Why Participate in the Program?

The FSSC Development Program is ideal for smaller organizations that want to develop and improve their FSMS but might not have the resources to achieve GFSI-recognized certification in one step.

• The Program provides SMEs with a flexible solution that aligns their conformity status to their food safety and business goals (e.g., meeting their clients’ food safety requirements or expanding their market access).
• Integrating the Development Program into vendor assurance programs helps larger food organizations ensure the food safety of their non-GFSI certified SME suppliers through an internationally recognized program.
• Conforming organizations are listed on the FSSC website, making it easy to share conformance status; this global recognition can support expansion into new markets.
• Alignment with the FSSC Development Program supports progression to GFSI certification, if desired, while building the maturity of the FSMS.