ISO/FSSC 22000 Auditor/Lead Auditor

The aim of this course is to provide delegates with the knowledge and skills required to perform first, second and third-party audits of Food Safety Management Systems against the requirements in ISO 22000:2018, ISO 22002-1, FSSC 22000 v6, in accordance with ISO 19011, ISO 22003-1 and ISO 17021-1, as applicable. During the course, delegates will learn how to audit Food Safety Management Systems, and how to lead audits and audit teams, both in their own organizations and in others (such as suppliers).

• the underpinning principles and benefits of a FSMS in an organisation’s success
• the principles, processes and techniques used for the assessment and management of food safety hazards
• the importance of aligning food safety specific controls with other general management system controls
• how continual improvement is applied within a FSMS
• the contribution audits make to the effectiveness of a management system
• the roles and responsibilities of a FSMS auditor and lead auditor
• about processes, and how to use them to audit the effective implementation of the FSMS
• to prepare thoroughly for audit and the value of process-based checklists
  to gather objective evidence through observation, interviewing and reviewing documentation
• how to relate your audit findings to the policy and objectives of the organisation being audited, including applicable regulations and legislation
• to report your findings accurately against the requirements of ISO 22000/ FSSC 22000
• the certification requirements to become a registered auditor/lead auditor with CQI IRCA

Before starting this course, learners are encouraged to take an introductory course to Food Safety Management Systems and ISO/FSSC 22000. For a successful completion, we recommend the following previous knowledge:

• ISO 22000 (ideally gained from attending LRQA’s 1-day Introduction to Food Safety Management Systems based on ISO 22000:2018 and FSSC 22000 versions 5, 5.1 or 6 course)
• experience of working in the food supply chain
• knowledge of the following Food Safety management principles and concepts:
  • implementing or operating a management system within a food sector context. This includes private schemes such as BRC, GLOBALGAP, FSSC 22000 and/or other schemes which include management system components.
  • relevant key food safety legislation (this may be specific to delegates’ food industry context and location).
  • knowledge of prerequisite programmes as specified in ISO/TS 22002-1.
  • Good Practice guides for Agriculture (GAP), Veterinary (GVP), Manufacturing (GMP), Hygiene (GHP), Production (GPP), Distribution (GDP) and/or Trading (GTP) depending on the segment of the food chain in which the student operates.
  • the principles of HACCP as defined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
• to understand the basics of how organisations, work and the role of top management

Personal course preparation activities

• Pre-coursework: 5 eLearning modules with quizzes and reference materials.

Group course program items

• Review pre-work course
• ISO 22000 and operational
• ISO 22000 organizational planning and control
• Spider diagram and application
• Document review on context analysis with case study materials
• ISO/TS 22002-1 application
• TACCP (food fraud and food defense)
• Additional requirements of FSSC 22000 application
• Auditing basics
• Document review on HACCP with case study materials
• Audit cycle, programme and plan
• Meetings, scopes and planning
• Stage 2 planning application
• Correction and corrective action
• Process model application
• NC reporting application
• Auditor skills and behaviour
• LRQA 6-stage interview model and feedback
• Top management interview
• Validation, monitoring and verification
• Preparation of interviews
• Stage 2 interviews
• Actual reporting
• Actual closing meeting
• Exam preparations and empowerment

Participants are expected to do homework every day

Written exam

The participant needs to do the written online examination with IRCA/CQI within 180 days after the course.

Note: Only participants who achieve a successfully continual assessment can do the exam.

Learners who successfully complete the training and successfully pass the final examination and continual assessment will be issued with a CQI & IRCA recognised Certificate of Completion. Learners who attend the full duration of the course but fail the final examination will be issued with a Certificate of Attendance.

This course is certified by CQI and IRCA and meets the requirements of the CQI and IRCA ISO 22000:2018 Lead Auditor (FSMS) course criteria PR359

• Pre-course work with eLearning: 8 – 24 hours.

We have three modalities available for this course:

• Classroom training: five days
• Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT): seven days
• Blended training (three days classroom + three days virtual): six days

With LRQA, you can access a wide range of courses to help you further your career and bring improvements to the management systems in your organisation. With many learning styles to choose from, our training courses can help you develop and reach your next level.  Find out more about Training Courses from LRQA.