FSSC 22000 & ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems) Certification
This project, funded by USAID/DAI/ACEBA, aimed to support six saffron businesses in Herat and Balkh provinces by strengthening their food safety systems and enabling them to achieve the FSSC 22000 certification (recognized by GFSI) and ISO 22000 certification with IAF and EU accreditations. Running from July to September 2024, the project sought to enhance the businesses’ export potential through internationally recognized certifications. The project involved several key stages: planning and registration with the Certification Body (CB), Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits, an audit document review, and a Certification Award Ceremony. KIA played a pivotal role in facilitating the certification process, coordinating the local lead audit team’s efforts throughout.
ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems) Certification
This project, funded by EU/DANIDA/HIHAO, aimed to support five saffron businesses in Herat province in enhancing their food safety systems and achieving ISO 22000 certification with IAF and EU accreditations, thereby boosting their export potential. Running from December 2023 to March 2024, the project followed key stages: planning and registration with the Certification Body (CB), conducting Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits by the local audit team, reviewing audit documents by the CB’s certification committee, and concluding with a Certification Award Ceremony. KIA played a central role in facilitating the entire certification process, coordinating the efforts of the local lead audit team to ensure successful completion.
ISO and FSSC 22000 Certification for Private Companies
Since January 2024, over 32 small-scale projects have been successfully completed for private companies in Afghanistan, helping them improve their management systems across various industries. These companies enhanced their food safety, quality, environmental, and occupational health systems, including HACCP, and achieved ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, HACCP, GMP, and HALAL certifications with IAF and EU accreditations. This boosted their export potential, improved internal management, increased customer satisfaction and product quality, and enhanced profitability. The project followed key stages: planning, registration with the Certification Body (CB), Stage 1 and 2 audits, document review, and a Certification Award Ceremony. KIA facilitated the entire certification process, coordinating with the local lead audit team to ensure smooth execution.
Organic Certification
For the first time in Afghanistan, KIA successfully facilitated the organic certification process for two saffron producers through local inspectors. These companies achieved C1 and C2 EU certifications and the NOP final certification, allowing them to market their saffron as organic in the U.S. at premium prices. They are also on track to receive the EO organic certificate next year, granting access to the EU market. The project, funded by EU/DANIDA/HIHAO, began in 2023 and is ongoing. Key stages include planning and registration with the Certification Body (CB), crop and processing inspections by local inspectors, inspection report reviews by the CB’s Evaluation and Certification Officers, and a Certification Award Ceremony. KIA played a central role in facilitating the entire certification process through its local lead audit team.