What is the use of the ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam?
To meet the needs of retailers, the owners of FSMS scheme recognized by the GFSI develop means to manage and ensure the auditor competence.
Competence exams and personal certification are part of these means.
The ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam has been especially developed to meet the requirements of the Synergy 22000 scheme: at least 4 hours exam, focusing on key competencies defined by ISO TS 22003 (§ 7.2.4.6.2) and Synergy 22000 certification scheme (§ 5.2). Various certification bodies also recognize and use this exam as part of the qualification procedure of their auditors.

Which competences are assessed during the exam ?
The basis is defined by the § 7.2.4.6.2 ISO TS 22003:
a) Audit principles, procedures and techniques
b) Management system and reference documents
c) Organizational situations
d) Applicable laws, regulations and other requirements relevant to the discipline
and completed as follow by the Synergy 22000 certification scheme (§ 5.2):
a) FSMS audit principles and procedures according to applicable clauses of ISO 17021, ISO TS 22003 and ISO 19011;
b) writing of factual and verifiable audit reports ;
c) understanding and control of the HACCP systematic according to ISO 22000 ;
d) PRP adequacy & implementation assessment ;
e) understanding of MS principles.
The ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam is targeted on these key competences.

What are the prerequisites of the exam and how to prepare it ?
The ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam is open to all interested candidates, without any prerequisite means to acquire the required competences.
Any training and experience prerequisite required by the various accredited management systems certification schemes are not managed by ViaSyst, whose exams focus solely on the competence assessment of the candidate.
Depending on the considered competence specification, it is strongly recommended to revise prior the exam one's own knowledge on the following topics:
- ISO 22000, PRP, HACCP
- Management systems
- Audit principles, procedures and techniques
- Food legislation: EU hygiene pack and any related document.
The distance learning courses offered by ViaSyst on these topics can help prepare course, but are by no means a prerequisite.
How is the exam organised ?
The ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam takes place in-class, under the supervision of a neutral supervisor, in a place held by ViaSyst.
The exam is divided into 3 sessions:
1. QCM (1.5 hour)
2. Audit findings (1 hour)
3. Case study (1.5 hour)
The exam questions and case studies are provided on paper, as well as copies of applicable standards, if necessary (Synergy PRP 22000 and ISO 22000 in this specific case). These papers are taken back at the end of the session. The candidate responds to the exam questions and case studies on electronic forms via the computer workstation available to him.
Access to any other web page as the exam form is prohibited. Any violation is punishable.
The ViaSyst Competence Exam Regulation applies in any case. By applying, the candidate is deemed to have read the regulation and accept it.

What is the scope of the exam ?
The ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam addresses auditors who might be involved in all categories of the food chain as defined in Annex A of ISO TS 22003.
Thus, it focuses on "generic" issues and cases. In any case, it cannot be considered as an appropriate sector-specific test of knowledge (e.g. Technology).
However, it is natural that questions, findings or case studies of the exam have a specific connotation in a given sector of the food chain. This is justified by various reasons, which may in no case be invoked as a cause of failure:
- the exam focuses on the principles (e.g. audit methodology, HACCP, management system), not on the specifics of their application,
- in this way, the exam focuses on key competences that an auditor must have:
a) a general culture enabling him to find his bearings in all circumstances,
b) the ability to apply the principles and methods that he controls in an unknown context - and in a limited time
- the food chain categories as defined by ISO TS 22003 are very wide and require extended knowledge
- many scopes are mixed (e.g. bakery products with meat) and/or appeal to notions of other food chain categories (e.g. food suitability of packaging, residues from the primary production)
- even if he will work on a limited scope, an auditor needs to have some general education and can not afford to ignore knowledge potentially related to his scope of choice,
- the hygiene pack legislation is generic and shall be controlled all scopes together

Is the exam recognised ?
Synergy Global Standardisation Services, Synergy 22000 scheme holder recognised ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam through its endorsement procedure based on the requirements of ISO 17024, applicable for personal certification bodies. Various certification bodies also recognise and use this exam as part of the qualification procedure of their auditors.

Where and when the next exam sessions will be held?
Candidates may attend the ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam in the following countries:
- South Africa (Johannesburg)
- Belgium (Liège)
- Canada (Ottawa)
- Ivory Coast (Abidjan)
- France (Paris, Rennes)
- Hungary (Budapest)
- Ireland (Dublin)
- Mexico (Mexico)
- Sweden (Göteborg)
- Switzerland (Bern)
- Tunisia (Tunis)
Other countries may be offered, from a minimum of 10 candidates in the country.
The dates are open, upon reasonable organisation time of 3 to 4 weeks maximum.

How much does the exam cost and where can I apply?
The cost of the ViaSyst FSMS auditor exam is structured as follows: - Initial application / keeping records (first year only) 100 € - Competence exam and certification (certificate valid for 3 years) 750 € Application is here.