I. INTRODUCTION TO ISO 22005 CERTIFICATION
In the context of increasingly complex food supply chains, together with growing requirements for food safety, fraud prevention and origin transparency, traceability has become an important management capability for businesses. A properly designed traceability system enables the identification, collection, retention and linkage of information on products or raw-material batches across stages from receipt, production and processing to packaging, storage and distribution.
When an incident occurs, traceability data helps quickly identify the source of raw materials, processing history and distribution destinations so that the affected scope can be determined, investigated and appropriately recalled. A traceability system does not directly eliminate food-safety hazards, but it provides an important foundation for incident control, origin verification and improved reliability of information throughout the supply chain.
ISO 22005:2007 – Traceability in the feed and food chain is an international standard that specifies the general principles and basic requirements for the design and implementation of a traceability system. The standard can be applied by organizations at any stage of the feed and food chain, regardless of size.
ISO 22005 helps businesses define traceability objectives, record the history and location of products/raw materials, and establish information links among parties and process stages based on the ability to identify the source of inputs and the destination of outputs. This enables traceability data to be maintained throughout the chain, verified and used when needed.
ISO 22005 provides a technical framework for traceability systems but does not replace legal requirements on food safety, product quality or traceability applicable to specific product groups.
What should an ISO 22005 traceability system be able to do?
Clearly define whether the system is intended to support legal compliance, product recall, risk control, origin verification, supply-chain management, or customer/market requirements.
Establish mechanisms to identify products, materials, lots/batches, locations, process stages and related objects so that data can be accurately linked.
Ensure that the input source and output destination of each traceable unit can be identified while maintaining information links between internal process stages.
Determine the data to be collected, recording responsibilities, update timing, storage methods and record-retention periods appropriate to the objectives and applicable requirements.
Establish backward and forward tracing methods and conduct periodic tests to assess the speed, completeness, accuracy and usability of information.
Monitor system effectiveness, review tracing/test results, address data weaknesses and update the system when products, processes or supply chains change.
ISO 22005 and traceability requirements in Viet Nam
ISO 22005 is a voluntary technical framework for designing and operating a traceability system. Where a product falls within the scope of Vietnamese legislation, businesses must also identify the competent authority, product group and mandatory requirements concerning data, lot identification, record-retention periods, availability of information, traceability codes, data carriers, and data connection/sharing.
Framework for traceability of products and goods
Sets out principles for traceability systems, traceability data, product/location traceability codes, data carriers and tracking events in the supply chain, while providing the basis for connecting and sharing traceability data under a risk-based management approach.
Food under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade
Applies the principle of “one step back – one step forward”; information after each stage must be appropriately identified, and data must be established and stored in database form. Traceability records must be capable of being provided within 24 hours when requested by the competent authority.
Food under the management of the Ministry of Health
Requires traceability based on the principle of “one step back – one step forward” and by production lot; establishments are required to record, retain and be ready to retrieve information on product lots, materials, origin and distribution.
Agricultural, forestry and fishery food products
The Circular remains in force and applies to food under agricultural management. Establishments within its scope must establish a traceability system based on the principle of “one step back – one step forward”, encode/identify food after each stage, and retain information to support tracing and recall when needed.
Agricultural Product Traceability System
Under the plan issued with Decision No. 25/QD-BNNMT and related implementation documents in 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment developed an agricultural product traceability system for nationwide data management, connection and sharing. The system was announced and put into operation from 01 July 2026 and continues to be expanded by agricultural product group and management roadmap.
National Traceability Portal and sector-specific systems
Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP and sector-specific implementation plans provide for the connection and sharing of data with the National Product and Goods Traceability Portal and systems operated by ministries, sectors and local authorities. Whether connection is mandatory or voluntary depends on the applicable lists, roadmap and requirements for each product.
Record-retention periods must be determined in accordance with the applicable regulation. Under Circular No. 17/2021/TT-BNNPTNT, for agricultural, forestry and fishery food products that are not required to bear an expiry date, traceability information must be retained for at least 06 months for fresh food and 02 years for frozen and processed food from the date of production; where the product bears an expiry date, the minimum retention period is 12 months from the expiry date. Circular No. 11/2026/TT-BCT and Circular No. 25/2019/TT-BYT set separate requirements for food groups under their respective management scopes.
The Agricultural Product Traceability System of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is not ISO 22005 certification. It is a sector-specific infrastructure for data management and sharing. Businesses may apply ISO 22005 in parallel to standardize the design, operation and verification of their internal systems, but they must still meet obligations for data connection, declaration or provision where required by law and sector-specific implementation roadmaps.
How does ISO 22005 differ from legal requirements?
ISO 22005:2007
Provides the principles and basic requirements for the design, implementation and operation of traceability systems in the feed and food chain. The organization defines the objectives, scope and level of detail appropriate to its operations and supply chain.
Vietnamese legal requirements
Specify mandatory obligations for specific objects, such as minimum data, traceability principles, record-retention periods, traceability codes, data provision, system connection or recall requirements. ISO 22005 does not replace these obligations.
Benefits of implementing and obtaining ISO 22005 certification
When an incident occurs, the system enables rapid tracing of raw-material sources, related processes and the location of affected product lots, supporting more precise scoping, investigation and recall.
Traceability data clarifies origin, product movement and the responsibilities of relevant parties, providing objective evidence in the event of complaints, incidents or verification requests.
A standardized system provides a foundation for businesses to meet traceability requirements from regulatory authorities, customers, supply chains and import markets.
Systematic management of lots/batches, material-to-finished-product flows, inventory and shelf life helps reduce errors and losses and improve operational efficiency.
Third-party certification provides independent evidence that the business has established and operates a traceability system in accordance with ISO 22005 requirements within the certified scope.
ISO 22005 can be integrated with ISO 22000, HACCP, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, ISO 9001 and other quality and food-safety management programmes.
ISO 22005 implementation and certification are suitable for:
- Organizations directly or indirectly involved in feed and food supply chains, including farms, crop/livestock operations, procurement, production, processing and packaging facilities.
- Logistics companies, warehouses, cold-storage facilities, food preservation and transportation providers.
- Importers, exporters, distributors, supermarket systems, restaurants and retail chains.
- Organizations seeking to standardize their data systems or enhance traceability capability within existing quality and food-safety management systems.
II. CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Depending on the scope of activities, products, locations and complexity of the supply chain, the assessment activities may be adjusted. In general, certification of a traceability system/process against ISO 22005 is implemented in six steps:
The business provides information on the product/product group, traceability-chain scope, operating locations, production and business processes, and the traceability system currently in use. GIC Vietnam reviews the completeness and suitability of the application and determines the certification scope, assessment criteria, expert resources and related conditions.
GIC Vietnam prepares the assessment programme and plan, identifies the locations, timing, processes to be assessed and documents to be prepared; assessors are selected based on competence relevant to traceability and the feed and food chain.
The assessment directly evaluates the conformity, effectiveness and practical implementation of traceability activities at locations within the certification scope. It focuses on objectives, traceable units, identification codes, input–process–output data, records, responsibilities and the ability to link information throughout the chain.
Assessment results are consolidated in a report. A traceability test using a representative lot/batch may be conducted to evaluate backward tracing, forward tracing and data consistency. The business implements corrective actions for nonconformities and provides the required evidence.
The certification file and assessment results are independently reviewed to confirm that certification requirements have been met and nonconformities have been appropriately addressed. When the results are satisfactory, GIC Vietnam makes the certification decision and issues the certificate for the approved scope.
During the certification cycle, GIC Vietnam conducts surveillance assessments to confirm that the system continues to be maintained and operated effectively, while reviewing changes and traceability capability where necessary. Before the end of the cycle, recertification is carried out to maintain continuity of certification.
III. WHY CHOOSE GIC VIETNAM?
GIC operates in the field of conformity assessment through a network and accreditation programmes in Viet Nam and internationally. Specific competence and accreditation scope depend on each certification programme; ISO 22005 assessments are conducted on the principles of independence and impartiality and are based on technical competence relevant to traceability in the feed and food chain.
GIC Vietnam defines the scope, plan and assessment activities clearly from the application-review stage, focusing on processes, data and evidence that directly affect traceability effectiveness. This approach helps businesses prepare proactively and use time and resources efficiently throughout the certification process.
CONTACT INFORMATION
GIC VIETNAM
Hanoi: 12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Giang Vo Ward
Tel: 024 6275 2268 | Hotline: 0984 609 469
Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Tel: 028 3930 7936
