The requirement that applies today
The third Codex step identifies how the product is intended to be used and who will use it. The current edition maps this to the intended use clause, which requires reasonably expected handling, foreseeable mishandling and the identification of vulnerable consumer groups.
ISO/DIS 22000:2026, Annex A 3, Codex step 3: identify the intended use.
What the draft does
Mapped in the current Annex A to 8.5.1.4; the 2026 table is sold by ISO and not held here: The 2026 contents keep 8.5.1.4 at the same number and title. The destination is read from the current table and that title, not from the published 2026 Annex A.
Source: public contents and foreword at A.3, retrieved 2026-10-19.
Why this clause matters
The intended use decides the level of control that is necessary. A product for a vulnerable group or one that is eaten without cooking carries a different burden from an ingredient that is always cooked. The 2026 contents keep the intended use clause, so the step remains anchored.
Suggested evidence to discuss with your auditor
For A.3, these are the artefacts we suggest discussing with your auditor. The standard publishes no evidence list, so this is our reading, not a requirement.
- An intended use statement for each product
- Foreseeable misuse scenarios and how the label addresses them
- Vulnerable groups identified where relevant
Where systems usually fall short
- Intended use recorded as "general public" for every product
- A label that contradicts the intended use statement
How to prepare
Write the worst realistic misuse for your main product and check the label and the hazard analysis against it. Then check the vulnerable groups the product actually reaches.
Dates
Cross-references
Source
Annex A, A.3. Current edition: ISO 22000:2018. Draft: ISO/DIS 22000:2026. Retrieved 2026-10-19. The full DIS text for A.3 is sold by ISO and not held here; the sources page lists what is.
Not legal advice; does not certify; our words, not the standard's, and the planning date is an estimate.