Overview
ISO/TS 22002-4:2013 - Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Part 4: Food packaging manufacturing - is an ISO Technical Specification that defines prerequisite programmes (PRPs) to control food-safety hazards in the manufacture of food packaging. Intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 22000, this document provides practical PRP guidance for organizations of any size that produce food packaging or intermediate products, helping prevent contamination, migration and other packaging-related risks to food safety.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO/TS 22002-4 outlines generic PRPs and specific areas to manage contamination and ensure packaging safety. Major topics include:
- Establishment and environment: design, construction and maintenance of buildings to prevent contamination and allow hygienic operation.
- Layout and workspace: internal design and traffic patterns to avoid cross-contamination and unintended mixing of materials.
- Utilities and waste disposal: management of utilities and appropriate disposal systems.
- Equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance: criteria for equipment design, cleaning regimes and preventive maintenance.
- Management of purchased materials and services: supplier control, certificates of analysis (COA) and declarations of compliance (DOC).
- Measures for prevention of contamination: controls for set‑off, migration, foreign matter and chemical or biological contamination.
- Cleaning, pest control and personnel hygiene: documented cleaning procedures, pest management and hygiene facilities/training.
- Rework and withdrawal procedures: controls for internal rework and removing non‑conforming packaging from the supply chain.
- Storage, transport and packaging information: requirements for storage conditions, transport safeguards and communicating packaging use/intended purpose to customers.
- Food defence and incident management: measures to protect against intentional contamination and procedures for incidents.
The Technical Specification also emphasizes conducting a documented food packaging hazard analysis to identify which PRPs apply and to justify any exclusions or alternative measures.
Applications and who should use it
ISO/TS 22002-4 is practical for:
- Food packaging manufacturers (flexible films, cartons, glass, metal, plastics, intermediates)
- Quality, HACCP and food‑safety managers implementing PRPs
- Internal and external auditors and certification bodies assessing packaging safety systems
- Food companies that produce their own packaging (to decide applicability)
- Procurement and supplier‑management teams requiring COAs/DOCs
Using ISO/TS 22002-4 supports compliance with ISO 22000 and improves packaging safety, risk management and customer confidence.
Related standards
- ISO 22000 (Food safety management systems)
- ISO/TS 22002 Parts 1–3 (Food manufacturing, Catering, Farming) and Part 5 (Transport and storage - under development)
- BS PAS 223:2011 and EN 15593:2008 (source documents referenced in the Technical Specification)
Keywords: ISO/TS 22002-4, food packaging manufacturing, prerequisite programmes (PRPs), food safety, ISO 22000, packaging safety, hazard analysis, supplier control.