If you have been searching for PAS 223 certification for your food packaging manufacturing operation in the Philippines, there is something important you need to know first. PAS 223 — the Publicly Available Specification originally developed in the United Kingdom for food packaging prerequisite programs — has been formally withdrawn and superseded by ISO/TS 22002-1, its internationally standardized successor. Global Quality Services (GQS) helps Philippine food packaging manufacturers transition smoothly to the current standard, ensuring no disruption to certification status, customer requirements, or FSSC 22000 compliance.

Understanding the PAS 223 to ISO 22002-1 Transition

PAS 223 was developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to establish prerequisite program requirements specifically for organizations that manufacture food packaging materials. It addressed the unique hazards associated with packaging production — including foreign body contamination, chemical migration, and hygienic design of packaging manufacturing equipment — that generic food safety prerequisite standards did not adequately cover.

As international standardization efforts matured, PAS 223 was adopted, refined, and republished as ISO/TS 22002-1, bringing the same packaging-specific prerequisite program requirements under the globally recognized ISO framework. This transition means that any certification body, technical content, or consulting service still referencing “PAS 223 certification” as a standalone, currently certifiable scheme is referring to an outdated designation. Organizations seeking certification today pursue ISO/TS 22002-1, which serves the same technical purpose with broader international recognition and direct compatibility with FSSC 22000 certification.

The Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA) regulates food contact materials and packaging under its food safety mandate, and increasingly references internationally harmonized standards like ISO/TS 22002-1 when evaluating packaging manufacturers supplying the Philippine food industry.

Why This Matters for Philippine Food Packaging Manufacturers

If your organization previously held PAS 223 certification, or if a client or certification body has referenced PAS 223 as a requirement, this is the moment to clarify your certification pathway. Continuing to certify or recertify against a withdrawn standard creates real commercial risk — audits referencing PAS 223 may no longer be recognized by certification bodies, and FSSC 22000 certification specifically requires ISO/TS 22002-1 compliance for packaging manufacturers, not PAS 223.

GQS helps Philippine packaging manufacturers navigate this transition cleanly, whether you are pursuing certification for the first time or migrating an existing PAS 223 certification to the current ISO/TS 22002-1 framework.

Who Needs ISO/TS 22002-1 (Formerly PAS 223) Certification in the Philippines?

  • Food packaging manufacturers supplying primary and secondary packaging materials to Philippine food producers
  • Plastic, paper, and composite packaging converters serving export-oriented food manufacturers in PEZA zones
  • Flexible packaging and laminate producers supplying snack food, beverage, and processed food sectors
  • Packaging manufacturers pursuing FSSC 22000 certification, for which ISO/TS 22002-1 compliance is a mandatory component
  • Philippine suppliers to multinational food and beverage companies that specify ISO/TS 22002-1 in their packaging supplier qualification criteria

How GQS Supports Your Transition and Certification

  • Clarify your current certification status and confirm the correct standard pathway if you previously held or were pursuing PAS 223
  • Conduct a gap assessment of your packaging manufacturing facility against ISO/TS 22002-1 requirements, including hygienic design, foreign body control, and chemical migration management
  • Develop and document prerequisite programs covering facility design, cleaning and sanitation, pest control, personnel practices, and supplier management specific to packaging production
  • Address Philippine-specific operational factors including tropical humidity control, pest pressure, and inter-island raw material logistics in your PRP design
  • Integrate ISO/TS 22002-1 with your broader FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 certification scope for a unified food safety management approach
  • Prepare your facility for third-party certification audits through structured mock assessments and documentation readiness support
  • Coordinate with accredited certification bodies through to successful ISO/TS 22002-1 certification issuance

Business Benefits of Making the Transition

  • Ensure your packaging facility’s certification is recognized by certification bodies, auditors, and FSSC 22000 governance going forward
  • Avoid commercial disruption with clients who specifically require current ISO/TS 22002-1 compliance rather than outdated PAS 223 references
  • Strengthen your supplier qualification standing with multinational food and beverage companies sourcing packaging from the Philippines
  • Build a packaging safety management system that genuinely addresses hygienic design and contamination control, not just documentation compliance
  • Position your facility for export market access where ISO/TS 22002-1 is an established supplier requirement

Do not let an outdated standard designation hold your packaging operation back. Contact GQS today and ensure your food packaging facility is certified against the standard that actually matters in today’s market.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is PAS 223 certification still valid or recognized in the Philippines?
No, PAS 223 has been withdrawn internationally and replaced by ISO/TS 22002-1. Organizations should pursue certification against the current standard rather than the superseded PAS 223 designation.

2. What happens if our facility currently holds PAS 223 certification?
Existing PAS 223 certifications should be transitioned to ISO/TS 22002-1 at the next recertification or surveillance cycle, and GQS can guide this transition without disrupting your certification continuity.

3. Is ISO/TS 22002-1 mandatory for FSSC 22000 certification in the Philippines?
Yes, ISO/TS 22002-1 compliance is a mandatory component of FSSC 22000 certification for organizations manufacturing food packaging materials.

4. How long does ISO/TS 22002-1 certification take for a Philippine packaging manufacturer?
Most Philippine packaging facilities complete certification within three to five months, depending on facility complexity and the maturity of existing prerequisite programs.

5. Does GQS help clarify which standard applies if our client or certification body referenced PAS 223?
Yes, GQS can directly clarify standard terminology with your clients, auditors, or certification bodies to ensure your certification pathway is correctly aligned with current international requirements.