So called Synergy 22000 certification is a set of two complementary standards allowing developing a reliable FSMS, compliant with the requirements of the guidance document of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI – Endorsement procedure ongoing):

	ISO 22000, Food safety management systems — Requirements for any organization in the food chain (© ISO), and either
	PRP 22000, Food safety management system — Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs) requirements for any organization in the food chain (© Synergy), or
	ISO TS 22002-1 - Prerequisite programmes on food safety – Part 1: Food manufacturing (© ISO).

The ISO 22000 standard, applicable to the entire food chain for featuring and operating a food safety management system requires that prerequisite programmes (PRPs) shall be established, implemented and maintained according to the size and type of the operation and the nature of the products being manufactured and/or handled, but does not specify those PRPs.

Aim of the Synergy 22000 certification scheme is to complete the ISO 22000 requirements in order to comply with GFSI key elements and endorsement criteria. For this purpose, two main issues have to be addressed:

	prerequisite programmes (PRPs) shall be specified – which is the purpose or both PRP 22000 or ISO TS 22002-1 standards;
	operating procedures of the certification scheme or “protocol” shall be specified – which is the purpose or the Synergy 22000 Certification Scheme standard.

The combination of ISO 22000 & PRP 22000 is intended to be applicable to the entire food chain & related activities. The combination of ISO 22000 & ISO TS 22002-1 is is intended to be applicable only to the food processing or manufacturing step of the food chain.