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5.3

Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities

ClauseUnchanged titleRetrieved 2026-10-19Last updated: 2026-10-19

The requirement that applies today

Top management makes sure the responsibilities and authorities that matter are assigned, communicated and understood. It assigns responsibility for keeping the system conformant, for reporting performance to top management, for appointing the food safety team and its leader, and for designating people who can start and document actions. The team leader has defined duties, and everyone has the right to report a problem.

ISO 22000:2018, 5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities; ISO/DIS 22000:2026, 5.3.

What the draft does

Unchanged title: The public contents keep 5.3 at the same number and title. No structural change is shown.

Source: public contents and foreword at 5.3, retrieved 2026-10-19.

Why this clause matters

This clause is the difference between a system with a named owner and a system that belongs to everyone in theory and no one in practice. The revision does not change the principle, but a transition puts extra load on the same roles, which is when unclear authority shows.

Suggested evidence to discuss with your auditor

For 5.3, 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 organization chart with food safety responsibilities and named deputies
  • The food safety team appointment, with the leader named and the authority stated
  • A route by which any person can report a problem, and evidence that reports are acted on

Where systems usually fall short

  • Responsibilities described in a job description but not understood by the person doing the job
  • A food safety team that exists on paper but has not met for months

How to prepare

Test the reporting route yourself: raise a small issue through it and see where it lands. Then check that the person who receives it has the authority to act, not only the duty to escalate.

Dates

Applies todayISO 22000:2018 as amended in 2024, the edition published today; certificate treatment after a new edition depends on the transition arrangements
DraftISO/DIS 22000:2026, DIS ballot closed 2026-07-29
Planning date2027-09-12 (estimate, not an ISO date)

Cross-references

5.1, 5.4, 7.2, 7.4.3

Source

Clause 5.3. Current edition: ISO 22000:2018. Draft: ISO/DIS 22000:2026. Retrieved 2026-10-19. The full DIS text for 5.3 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.