Services / FSSC 24000
FSSC 24000 social management system consultancy and certification
We prepare your social management system for FSSC 24000 and arrange certification by a licensed certification body, giving buyers a certificate on how you treat workers and manage social risks.
From $2,000Consultancy and third-party certification
- Accredited by IAB and INTAQS
- Issuing certificates since 2004
- Online or on-site audits worldwide
- Verify any EUROTECH certificate
What FSSC 24000 is and what we deliver
FSSC 24000 is a certification scheme for social management systems from the Foundation FSSC, the same organization behind FSSC 22000. It is built on the PAS 24000 social management system specification, with additional scheme requirements, and gives companies a certifiable way to manage social risks such as working conditions, health and safety, and human rights in their own operations.
Unlike a one-off social audit report, FSSC 24000 is a management system certification. It uses the same high-level structure as ISO standards, so it fits alongside FSSC 22000, ISO 9001 or ISO 45001 in an integrated system. It is designed for food companies and other sectors.
Our role is to help you build or adapt the social management system, prepare evidence and arrange the certification audits with a licensed certification body.
- Gap analysis against the FSSC 24000 scheme requirements
- Support on social risk assessment, policies and worker engagement
- Review of wage, working hours, contracts and health and safety records
- Internal audit and management review support
- Arrangement of certification audits with a licensed certification body
A management system approach means social issues are not handled only when an auditor visits. Risks are assessed, responsibilities assigned, workers consulted, performance measured and problems corrected through the year, and the certification audit checks that this cycle works.
FSSC 24000, SMETA or SA8000: the differences
Buyers use several tools to check social compliance. SMETA is an audit method that produces a report shared on the Sedex platform; it is not a certificate. SA8000 is a social accountability standard with its own certification program run by SAI. FSSC 24000 is a management system certification scheme from the Foundation FSSC.
Which one fits depends on your customers. Some ask for a SMETA report on Sedex, some for SA8000, some accept FSSC 24000, and some accept several. Food companies that already hold FSSC 22000 often find FSSC 24000 easy to integrate, since both come from the same scheme owner and follow a similar audit rhythm.
If you are not sure, send us your customer's requirement and we will tell you which option meets it before you invest in preparation.
The management system format also helps internally. Human resources, health and safety and operations work from one set of objectives and one risk assessment, rather than reacting separately to each customer audit.
What decides the price
FSSC 24000 consultancy with EUROTECH starts at $2,000. The final price depends on your number of employees, the complexity of your processes and the scope of certification.
- Number of workers, including agency and seasonal workers
- Number of sites and worker accommodation if provided
- Existing systems, such as FSSC 22000 or ISO 45001, that can be integrated
- State of HR records: payroll, time records and contracts
- Languages and travel
The certification body sets its audit fee based on the scheme rules and the size of your organization.
Sites that rely heavily on agency or seasonal workers usually need more preparation, because recruitment fees, contracts and pay for these groups are a frequent source of findings.
Companies that already hold FSSC 22000 or ISO 45001 can reuse their management system processes, which shortens preparation.
How FSSC 24000 works with us
Step 1
Pre-audit preparation
We run a gap analysis and help build the social risk assessment and policies.
Step 2
Site tour
Together we walk the site to check working conditions before the certification audit.
Step 3
Health and safety check
Records and practices for safety, hours and wages are reviewed against law and the scheme.
Step 4
Worker interviews and report
The certification body interviews workers, audits the system and reports findings.
Labour law and social risk by location
We support companies in the USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. Social risks depend heavily on location and workforce: reliance on agency or migrant workers, seasonal peaks, piece-rate pay, long overtime in harvest or production peaks, and local enforcement of labour law.
FSSC 24000 expects you to identify the labour laws that apply and meet them, and to go further where international standards set a higher bar. During preparation we compare your wage and working time records with local law and flag gaps before the certification audit.
Due diligence laws on human rights in supply chains are spreading, especially in Europe, and many buyers now ask suppliers for evidence of how they manage these risks. A certified social management system is strong evidence.
Where workers are housed by the employer, accommodation standards such as space, sanitation, safety and freedom of movement are part of the social risk picture and are checked during the audit.
Minimum wage changes should trigger an immediate payroll review, since back pay issues are a common and avoidable finding.
What to expect from the certification audits
Certification audits are carried out on site by the certification body. Auditors review policies and records, walk the site, and interview workers privately, then compare what they hear with what the records show.
Typical focus areas include recruitment practices and fees, contracts, wages and deductions, working hours and overtime, health and safety, freedom of association, non-discrimination, grievance mechanisms and how worker representatives are involved in the management system.
Supply chain responsibility is reviewed as well. The scheme expects you to consider social risks in your own suppliers and contractors, in proportion to the risk, and to set expectations for them.
Worker participation is a key test. Auditors look for evidence that workers or their representatives took part in identifying risks and in reviewing the system, not only that a committee exists on paper.
Findings must be closed within deadlines set by the scheme, and the certification decision is made by the certification body on the evidence.
After the audit, we help you plan and evidence the corrective actions so findings are closed within the scheme deadlines.
Keeping the certificate
Surveillance audits take place each year. Keep the social risk assessment current, run internal audits, act on grievances, keep payroll and working time records accurate and involve worker representatives in reviewing performance.
When you change sites, recruitment agencies or shift patterns, review the social risks those changes bring. Scheme updates are announced by the Foundation FSSC, and we help you adapt your system within the transition periods.
Share progress with workers. Reporting back on grievances resolved and improvements made builds trust and gives auditors evidence that the system is alive.
Track a few indicators, such as overtime hours, grievances and turnover, and review them with management each quarter.
How this service works: EUROTECH provides the consultancy. FSSC 24000 certification is carried out by a certification body licensed by the Foundation FSSC, which we work with.
Questions buyers ask
How much does FSSC 24000 cost?
Our consultancy starts at $2,000. Employees, process complexity and scope set the final price.
Who owns FSSC 24000?
The Foundation FSSC, which also owns FSSC 22000.
Is FSSC 24000 the same as SMETA?
No. SMETA produces an audit report shared on Sedex. FSSC 24000 is a management system certification.
Who issues the certificate?
A certification body licensed by the Foundation FSSC. EUROTECH provides the consultancy and arranges the audit.
Can FSSC 24000 be combined with FSSC 22000?
Yes. Both follow a similar structure and can be managed as an integrated system.
Is it only for food companies?
No. It is designed for the food sector and other sectors that want a certifiable social management system.
Related services
- SA8000 certification
From $800
- SMETA audit
From $2,000
- FSSC 22000
From $2,000
Get a quote for FSSC 24000
Tell us your company, sites and the standard you need. We reply with a written quote and the audit plan.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 307 205 1833
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00 (US Mountain Time)