FSSC

What FSSC does

Foundation FSSC is a Netherlands-based, not-for-profit foundation headquartered in Den Bosch that develops and manages certification schemes for food safety and social sustainability management systems. It was established in 2015 and operates under an independent Board of Stakeholders, with proceeds supporting UN capacity-building activities and membership in the UN Global Compact Network. The organization runs two flagship certification schemes: FSSC 22000, a GFSI-recognized and IAF MLA-endorsed food safety management system built on ISO 22000 and the ISO/TS 22002-x series; and FSSC 24000, a social sustainability management system built on PAS 24000:2022 that holds SSCI recognition and EcoVadis acceptance. Supporting offerings include the FSSC Development Program (a two-level stepwise pathway for SMEs aligned with CODEX HACCP and GFSI Global Markets), the FSSC Integrity Program (which audits licensed Certification Body compliance), and an Assurance Platform (Public Register, Public Register Plus, CB Portal) alongside an E-learning Portal and MyFSSC stakeholder portal.

FSSC generates revenue through licensing fees paid by its network of 116 licensed Certification Bodies for FSSC 22000 and 7 licensed CBs for FSSC 24000, with additional conformity assessment licensing for Development Program CABs, plus professional services via the E-learning Portal. The organization does not set certification prices itself; end-customer fees are determined by individual licensed CBs based on organization size, scope, and complexity. Scheme documents, guidance materials, and self-assessment tools are available for free download, supporting a content-led, channel-driven go-to-market approach that relies on licensed intermediaries for audit and certification delivery.

The customer base spans 42,396 certified organizations globally across food manufacturing, catering and food service, retail and wholesale, transport and storage, and consumer goods social sustainability. Named reference customers include Nestlé, Danone China, Mengniu Arla, and other multinational food producers. Marketing and engagement operate through the FSSC Insights platform, newsletters, webinars, regional Insights Day events, LinkedIn, and podcast/video content in multiple languages, with active partnerships including GFSI, SSCI, IAF, EcoVadis, and the UNIDO capacity-building program in low- and middle-income countries.

Name

FSSC

Legal name

Foundation FSSC

Website

https://fssc.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Foundation FSSC is a Netherlands-based not-for-profit that develops and manages GFSI-recognized certification schemes (FSSC 22000 for food safety and FSSC 24000 for social sustainability), delivered through a global network of licensed Certification Bodies serving consumer goods and food industry organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Certification Scheme Management (Food Safety and Social Sustainability)

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification Program Administration & Scheme Management (Standard Owners) (AFALACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accredited Certification Bodies (CBs) – ISO 22000/FSSC 22000/BRCGS/SQF (AFALACAA), Integrated Management System Certification (Food Safety + Quality/Environment/OHS) (AFALACAI), Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs) (AFALAMAI)

Keywords

• Food safety certification
• Social sustainability certification
• Management system standards
• Certification scheme ownership
• ISO-based certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Den Bosch

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Body Licensing: FSSC licenses Certification Bodies to conduct assessments and issue certifications. Licensed CBs must have valid licenses for applicable food chain categories and pay licensing fees to Foundation FSSC. Currently 116 licensed FSSC 22000 CBs and 7 licensed FSSC 24000 CBs globally.
2. Conformity Assessment Body Licensing (Development Program): CABs (Conformity Assessment Bodies) pay licensing fees to deliver FSSC Development Program conformity assessments and issue conformity statements to SMEs. Application forms and licensing required.
3. E-learning Portal Services: FSSC operates an E-learning Portal (learning.fssc.com) providing training resources and educational materials for certification preparation and ongoing compliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Foundation FSSC owns and operates two ISO-aligned certification schemes—FSSC 22000 for food safety management systems and FSSC 24000 for social sustainability management systems—delivered through a global network of licensed Certification Bodies. The organization earns revenue by licensing Certification Bodies (CBs) and Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) to deliver audits and issue certifications against these proprietary schemes, and provides supporting digital platforms (Assurance Platform, E-learning Portal, MyFSSC) and a Development Program for SMEs.

Product overview

Foundation FSSC (Food Safety Certification Scheme) operates as a not-for-profit organization providing two primary certification schemes and supporting digital platforms for the consumer goods industry. FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognized Food Safety Management System certification scheme based on ISO 22000, while FSSC 24000 is an IAF MLA-endorsed Social Sustainability Management System certification scheme based on PAS 24000. The FSSC Assurance Platform (Digital Solution) provides Public Register, Public Register Plus, and CB Portal for certification verification and management. Supporting offerings include the FSSC Development Program (a two-level conformity pathway for SMEs), the FSSC Integrity Program (certification body monitoring), the E-learning Portal, and MyFSSC stakeholder portal. Together, these form a comprehensive certification ecosystem enabling food safety and social sustainability compliance across global supply chains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System Certification Scheme A globally recognized Food Safety Management System certification scheme based on ISO 22000, prerequisite programs (ISO/TS 22002-x series), and additional FSSC requirements. Holds Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognition and is IAF-approved, providing food manufacturers, caterers, retailers, and logistics operators worldwide with trusted certification for food safety compliance and market access.
• FSSC 24000 Social Sustainability Management System Certification Scheme

Quantifiable outcome

• 42,396 certified organizations globally trust FSSC schemes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2022Partnership signed June 2022 to strengthen food safety in low- and middle-income countries through capacity-building activities. Includes Training of Trainers programs (e.g., Ethiopia with 22 experts trained), World Bank-funded Export Development Project in Mongolia, and Tomato Learning and Service Center in Egypt.
• GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSSC 22000 holds GFSI recognition through annual benchmarking process. GFSI recognition enables FSSC 22000 certified organizations to supply to GFSI member retailers globally.
• SSCI (Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSSC 24000 recognized by CGF's SSCI, confirming technical rigor for social sustainability certification. Included in ITC Standards Map for international acceptance.
• IAF (International Accreditation Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth FSSC 22000 and FSSC 24000 endorsed as IAF MLA sub-scope, ensuring global acceptance of accreditation from IAF members for FSSC certifications.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation FSSC is a member of UN Global Compact Network in the Netherlands. Supports UN principles and contributes to 12 of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through certification schemes.
• Licensed Certification Bodies (116)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor116 licensed CBs globally authorized to conduct FSSC 22000 audits and issue certifications. 7 CBs licensed for FSSC 24000. CBs must hold valid licenses and comply with FSSC Integrity Program.
• Accreditation Bodies (46)coreOthers46 FSSC partners with Accreditation Bodies worldwide. National accreditation bodies accredit Certification Bodies, ensuring global consistency and credibility of FSSC certifications.
• Global ACIcoreOthersEndorses FSSC 22000 and FSSC 24000 as IAF MLA sub-scope, supporting global recognition of certifications issued under these schemes.
• EcoVadisstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSSC 24000 recognized by EcoVadis as a valid certification for Labor and Human Rights, adding credibility layer for companies assessed by EcoVadis.
• NestléstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNestlé formally accepts FSSC 24000 as proof of supplier's commitment to social performance management. FSSC 24000 included on Nestlé's list of relevant certifications for Responsible Sourcing Tier 1 program alongside ISO 14001, SA8000, and ISO 45001.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EcoVadis: Operates a sustainability ratings platform that assesses companies across environment, labor, ethics, and procurement. EcoVadis recognizes FSSC 24000 as a valid input for its Labor and Human Rights scoring, making it both a complementary channel and a potential competitor in the social sustainability assessment space.
• GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative): Operates the benchmarking program that recognizes FSSC 22000, BRCGS, SQF, and IFS. While not a certification scheme itself, GFSI sets the structural rules under which all these schemes compete; FSSC's recognition is granted through GFSI benchmarking.

Direct peers

• SGS: One of the world's largest certification bodies, SGS is a licensed FSSC 22000 CB and a competitor delivering comparable certification services across food safety, social sustainability, and quality. Operates as both a channel partner and an adjacent service provider.
• DNV: Major global certification body offering FSSC 22000 audits alongside BRCGS, SQF, IFS, and a broad portfolio of management system certifications. DNV is both a competitor in certification delivery and a member of FSSC's licensed CB network.
• Sedex: Operates the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) platform, a leading social sustainability and ethical trade audit scheme used by major retailers. Competes directly with FSSC 24000 in addressing human rights and labor compliance in supply chains.
• SQF Institute: Manages the Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification program, a GFSI-recognized food safety scheme widely used in North America and globally. Owned by FMI (The Food Industry Association), SQF is a primary head-to-head competitor to FSSC 22000 in food manufacturer certification.
• BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards): Operates the BRCGS Global Standards for Food Safety, a GFSI-recognized certification scheme owned by the BRCGS Standards Committee. Directly competes with FSSC 22000 across the same food manufacturing, retail, and food service customer segments.
• IFS Food (International Featured Standards): Operates the IFS Food Standard, a GFSI-recognized food safety certification scheme particularly strong in Europe and among German-speaking retailers. Directly competes with FSSC 22000 for food manufacturer and private label certification.
• Social Accountability International (SA8000): Owns the SA8000 Standard for social accountability, an established social management system certification. SAI directly competes with FSSC 24000 and is recognized by Nestlé among other major buyers as a sustainability certification option.

Emerging players

• Fair Trade USA: Operates a sustainability certification scheme focused on ethically sourced products, with growing overlap to FSSC 24000's social sustainability scope. While product-focused rather than a management system standard, it competes for buyer ESG and social compliance budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fssc-22000

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FSSC