ISO standards for the food and agriculture sector

Q: What ISO standards are relevant for food and agriculture?
​A: ISO has many standards covering food safety, agricultural machinery, sustainable farming practices, food production, packaging, traceability, bioenergy, and quality management. Key standards include ISO 22000 for food safety management, the ISO 22002 series on prerequisite programs for food safety, and sustainability-related standards like ISO 14001.

Q: How do I find the right ISO standard for my food or agriculture business?
​A: Identify your specific area such as food safety management, feed production, farming practices, or packaging. Then you can be directed to standards like ISO 22000 for food safety systems, ISO/TS 22002-3 for farming prerequisite programs, or ISO 14001 for environmental management.

Q: Which ISO standard applies to food safety management systems?
​A: ISO 22000:2018 is the international standard for food safety management systems, applicable to any organization in the food chain to demonstrate control over food safety hazards.

Q: What are the prerequisite programs related to food safety?
​A: The ISO 22002 series defines prerequisite programs (PRPs) for various sectors of the food chain, such as ISO/TS 22002-3 for farming and ISO/TS 22002-6 for feed and animal food production, which establish hygiene and operational conditions supporting food safety management.

Q: Are there standards covering machinery used in agriculture and feed production?
​A: Yes, ISO develops standards on the safety, quality, and performance of agricultural machinery, as well as standards related to animal feeding equipment and feedstuff quality, helping improve efficiency and safety in production processes.

Q: How does ISO support sustainable agriculture and environmental responsibility?
​A: ISO 14001:2015 provides a framework for environmental management systems that help agricultural businesses and food producers reduce environmental impacts, manage resources efficiently, and align with sustainability goals.

Q: Are there standards related to bioenergy from agricultural sources?
​A: Yes, ISO standards cover bioenergy pathways that transform organic matter into energy, supporting sustainable energy solutions from agricultural waste and biomass.

Q: Does ISO provide standards for traceability and quality in food supply chains?
​A: Yes, ISO standards help ensure traceability and quality throughout the food production and supply chain, supporting product safety, authenticity, and regulatory compliance.

Q: How do I obtain ISO standards for food and agriculture or get involved in their development?
​A: ISO standards can be purchased from the ISO website or your national standards body. To participate in developing standards, contact your national body and inquire about joining relevant ISO technical committees like ISO/TC 34 for food products or ISO/TC 23 for tractors and machinery.

Learn more:

https://www.iso.org/sectors/food-agriculture