What does FSSC 24000 cover?
FSSC 24000 structures the management of social performance and working conditions. The scheme connects management responsibilities with labour practices and improvement. It is separate from the FSSC 22000 food safety scheme.
Who it is for
Manufacturing and processing organizations and relevant service providers in consumer-goods supply chains.
Key areas to understand
Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.
- 1Identify social risks and affected worker groups.
- 2Connect employment practices to social management controls.
- 3Review worker concerns and corrective-action effectiveness.
Evidence to prepare
This list is a starting point. Check the standard for all required documents. For each item, record who is responsible, the activity or site it relates to, and a recent example showing how it works.
- Social risk assessments
- Employment and working-time records
- Worker consultation and grievance records
- Internal review and audit results
- Improvement actions and remedy evidence
Keep records that explain what was checked, which requirement was used and who checked it. Include any action taken when a requirement was not met. Link each record to the work it supports.
An internal audit example
Suggested checks from 4Auditee
Choose one agency-worker group and compare the conditions recorded by the agency with the work actually scheduled on site. Follow a concern through the reporting process to action and later review. Check whether the worker can understand and use the process.
Choose a sample that suits your activities and risks. If you find a gap, record the requirement, the evidence and what was missing. Check more examples if the first results suggest a wider problem.
A common problem to check
A supplier commitment does not establish that working conditions are controlled. Examine the records and worker experience behind the commitment.
Prepare for assessment
The assessment type for this guide is social management certification scheme. Confirm the requirements, what will be assessed and how the assessment will work with the responsible body or customer. These steps help you prepare. You must also follow the scheme’s official rules.
- Define what is covered. List the products, services, activities and sites. Record the standard edition, additional scheme rules and customer requirements.
- Find what is missing. Compare the requirements with current work. Prioritise gaps by risk. Assign someone responsible and a completion date.
- Keep records of everyday work. Check a sample of actual records and speak with the people involved. Make sure they understand their responsibilities.
- Check the results. Complete internal reviews and audits. Check that corrective actions worked before closing problems.
From one site to many
Make it easy to find who is responsible at each site. Keep company policies separate from records of local work. Link each site’s records to its activities, risks and requirements so you can spot gaps at individual sites.
Sites that share a management system do not automatically qualify for one certificate or assessment. Confirm which sites can be included and how they will be checked with the assessment body.
About this guide and its sources
4Auditee wrote this guide using the public source below. The evidence list, audit example and preparation steps are our suggestions. Read the official standard and scheme rules for the full requirements. This guide does not include the standard’s full text or provide certification.
DNV: FSSC 24000 reference information