Dear Certified Clients,

In June 2022, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released ISO 22003-1:2022 "Food safety - Part 1: Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems" (available for purchase from the ISO website (https://www.iso.org/store.html) or the China National Standards Information Service website (https://www.sacinfo.cn/)), which replaces ISO/TS 22003:2013. On August 30, 2023, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) issued mandatory document IAF MD 27:2023 "Requirements for the transition of ISO 22003-1:2022". On November 7, 2023, the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) published a notice on its official website (https://www.cnas.org.cn) regarding the revision and release of the CNAS-CC180:2023 "Requirements for Certification Bodies of Food Safety Management Systems" series of documents. Along with the notice, CNAS-CC180:2023 "Requirements for Certification Bodies of Food Safety Management Systems" (equivalent to ISO 22003-1:2022), CNAS-SC180:2023 "Scheme for Accreditation of Certification Bodies of Food Safety Management Systems", CNAS-SC185:2023 "Scheme for Accreditation of Certification Bodies of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) System", CNAS-SC165:2023 "Scheme for Accreditation of Certification Bodies of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)" and other accreditation normative documents, as well as the "Explanation on the Adjustment of CNAS-CC180:2023 and other Norms and the Conversion of Relevant Accreditation of FSMS, HACCP, and GMP Certification Bodies" were published, making arrangements and requirements for the conversion of accreditation in related certification fields.

CQC, in accordance with the new accreditation requirements of CNAS, has analysed and organized the conformity and suitability of relevant technical documents in the fields of Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Management System (HACCP), and Good Manufacturing Practice for Dairy Products (Dairy GMP). We have completed the revision of relevant certification documents, formulated the certification conversion implementation plan, and now announced as follows:

Conversion Period and Methods:

a) CQC will begin implementing the conversion of FSMS, HACCP, and Dairy GMP certifications based on CNAS-CC180:2023 "Requirements for Certification Bodies of Food Safety Management Systems" from May 1, 2024. The deadline for conversion is June 30, 2025. All issued certificates for FSMS, HACCP, and Dairy GMP projects should complete the certification conversion by June 30, 2025. Certificates that are not converted by this date will automatically expire.

b) You may choose from the following three options to convert your certificate:

1. Applying for separate conversion;

2. Combining conversion with surveillance audits;

3. Combining conversion with re-certification audits.

Certified clients of FSMS, HACCP, and Dairy GMP certifications are requested to promptly communicate with relevant branches of CQC and select appropriate methods according to your organizational circumstances to complete the certification conversion in a timely manner.

Special Notices Regarding Certificates and Logo Usage:

Based on the requirements of CNAS-CC180:2023 "Requirements for Certification Bodies of Food Safety Management Systems" 8.3, our CQC has revised and updated the public document "Management Regulations for Certificate and Logo Usage" (download link: log in to https://www.cqc.com.cn/ - Business Online - Public Documents - General Documents - System Certification - Click to download "Management Regulations for Certificate and Logo Usage"). The new regulations stipulate that "organizations certified with Food Safety Management Systems/HACCP Management Systems/Dairy GMP are not allowed to use Food Safety Management Systems/HACCP Management Systems/Dairy GMP certification logos on products or product packaging; nor are they allowed to use any statements indicating that the organization has obtained Food Safety Management Systems, HACCP Management Systems, or Dairy GMP certification on product packaging. Product packaging includes primary packaging (containing the product) as well as any outer packaging or secondary packaging. Certified clients concerned are requested to pay attention to and comply with the management regulations for certificate and logo usage.

China Quality Certification Centre

April 8th 2024