Implementation of quality management system with ISO 22000 in food Italian companies

The worldwide implementation of Quality Management System (QMS) has increased significantly during the last few years. ISO 22000 certification demonstrates the ability of an organization to implement a Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). This paper analyzes the benefits gained and the obstacles encountered by Italian companies when implementing ISO 22000 standards, and considers the effects of Company size and years of certification on the outcome. The research was carried out using a sample of 180 Italian food Companies interviewed. The sample considered in the present study is constituted by Companies in the Italian food industry certified for at least 2 years. The respondents were all qualified as Quality Control/ Assurance Manager. Data were elaborated through SPSS 22.0 Statistical Software Package. The main benefits derived from the application of this standard are both external and internal: ISO 22000 improves commercial opportunities and internal procedure; the main obstacles to implementation are perceived particularly by Micro-Small Companies at the beginning phase of certification and they are related to changes in internal organization and the costs involved in certification.