Procedure: Suspension, Withdrawal, or Reduction of Scope (FSMS)

IP_13
Version No.: 2.0
Issue Date: 15.12.2025
Revision Date: 30.06.2026

1. Purpose

To define the criteria and process for suspending, withdrawing, or reducing the scope of certification when a client fails to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) standard (e.g., ISO 22000), the certification agreement, or poses a risk to food safety.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to all clients certified under the FSMS scheme by IGMPI.

3. References

• ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 – Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems.

• ISO 22003-1:2022 – Food safety — Part 1: Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of FSMS.

4. Procedure

4.1 Suspension of Certification

4. Certification shall be suspended under the following conditions:

• The client’s certified FSMS has persistently or seriously failed to meet certification requirements, including requirements for the effectiveness of the FSMS.
• The client does not allow surveillance or recertification audits to be conducted at the required frequencies (e.g., refusing an audit within the calendar year).
• The client has voluntarily requested a suspension.
• Major Nonconformities (NCs) are not closed within the specified timeframe (typically 90 days).
• Misuse of the certification mark or logo that is not corrected after a warning.
• Failure to pay certification fees.
• Specific to FSMS: Occurrence of a serious food safety incident (e.g., recall, legal action) where the system failed to manage the hazard, pending investigation.

4.1.2 Suspension Process

1. Initiation: The Audit Manager or Finance Department raises a request for suspension with evidence.
2. Decision: The Certification Manager reviews the evidence. If valid, a formal "Notice of Suspension" is sent to the client.
3. Implications:

1. The client must stop using the certification mark immediately.
2. The suspension period shall not exceed six (6) months.
3. The client's status is updated to "Suspended" in the Public Registry.

4.2 Restoration of Certification

Certification shall be restored if:

• The issue resulting in suspension has been resolved (e.g., Corrective Actions verified onsite, fees paid).
• A special audit (if required) confirms the FSMS is effective.
• The restoration decision is approved by the Certification Decision Committee.

4.3 Withdrawal of Certification

4.3.1 Conditions for Withdrawal

Certification shall be withdrawn if:

• The client fails to resolve the issues causing suspension within the established timeframe (max 6 months).
• The client voluntarily cancels the certification.
• The client ceases trading or the legal entity is dissolved.
• The FSMS has collapsed entirely, rendering the certificate invalid.

4.3.2 Withdrawal Process

1. Notification: A formal "Notice of Withdrawal" is sent to the client.
2. Action: The client is instructed to return the certificate and destroy all marketing materials referencing the certification.
3. Public Disclosure: The client is removed from the Certified Client Directory.

4.4 Reduction of Scope

4.4.1 Conditions for Reduction

The scope of certification shall be reduced if:

• The client has persistently or seriously failed to meet the certification requirements for those parts of the scope of certification (e.g., a specific production line or product category).
• The client voluntarily requests a reduction (e.g., discontinuing a product line).
• The audit evidence confirms that the FSMS is only effective for a subset of the originally certified scope.

4.4.2 Process

1. The Certification Body amends the certification documents to exclude the non-compliant scope.
2. A revised certificate is issued to the client.
3. The status in the Public Registry is updated to reflect the reduced scope.

5. Appeals

Any client disagreeing with a decision on suspension, withdrawal, or reduction of scope may file an appeal in accordance with the Appeals Handling Procedure (IP_13) within 30 days of notice.