After more than 20 years, the decision has been taken to phase out the well-known Dutch HACCP certification. This decision was reached by Stichting Certificatie Veiligheid (SCV), the owner of HACCP certification scheme version 5.1. The reason for phasing it out is the sharp decline in the number of HACCP certificates issued each year. This trend has continued unchanged for several years, as a result of which, in consultation with the CCvD, it was decided to abolish the certification. Dutch HACCP certification will finally come to and end on 1 January 2021. In this blog article, we focus in on the phasing out and the alternatives to Dutch HACCP certification.
When will dutch HACCP certification end?
This will still take a relatively long time because the decision was taken to have the certification scheme phased out. This will give sufficient space for organisations that are affiliated to the certification to make careful transitions. Needless to say, the SCV is promising that the quality and image of the scheme will be optimally monitored. It will therefore continue at its current level until its official end on 1 January 2021.
The most important phases and characteristics of the phase-out are clearly listed below:
- The phase-out period of Dutch HACCP certification scheme started on 1 January 2018.
- Dutch HACCP certificates issued after 1 January 2018 will expire on 1 January 2021. Companies that are now HACCP-certified should switch to a different standard before that date.
- With effect from 1 January 2020, no new Dutch HACCP certificates will be issued.
- Dutch HACCP certificates issued on or after 1 January 2018 will expire on 1 January 2021.
- Certificates which have not expired, ended, been suspended or revoked by 1 January 2021 will no longer be valid. From that date, the HACCP certification will officially become a thing of the past.
To be clear, only a particular scheme of the HACCP is coming to an end, not the HACCP itself. More information about this you can find here.
The alternatives to Dutch HACCP certification
The assertion that fewer and fewer HACCP certificates have been issued in recent years is not the only reason for abolishing them. Another important reason is the fact that there is a wide range of alternatives available on the market. Over the years, many independent food safety systems have been set up. These are in fact direct competitors of the HACCP certification. Moreover, these systems are often more extensive than the HACCP system because they take greater account of business processes. In addition, the alternatives to HACCP are usually the result of customer demand. As a result, such certification very quickly meets the standard for retailers.
What alternatives are available on the market? Below is a selection of the possibilities:
- ISO 22000
- BRC
- FSSC
- IFS
In short, there are plenty of alternatives on the market. Nevertheless, this does nothing to diminish the fact that compliance with official HACCP guidelines will remain an obligation in the food industry in years to come. That has an additional advantage: within the alternative certifications for HACCP, the HACCP guidelines will continue to form the basis for food safety.
Want to know more about the possibilities?
Are you HACCP certified and would you like to know what the possibilities are for switching to alternatives? Then download the handy white paper: ‘Setting up a food-safe hygiene process’. Here you will find all kinds of information about the most important certifications that can be used as an alternative to HACCP.
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