Page last updated: 01 September 2026
The implementation timeline
What's happening at each stage, at a glance
How does this affect your business?
The above implementation dates will apply differently to On-farm and Supply Chain businesses, depending on where you are in your certification journey. Click on the options below for a detailed view of how the transition will affect you:
- New Businesses
September 2026
- FSQ5 Standard released and freely available for viewing and download on 1 September 2026.
- Updated resources, implementation guidance and transition information become available throughout September.
October 2026
- FSQ5 training becomes available in late October, supporting businesses to understand the new requirements and prepare for transition.
1 March 2027
- Initial certification audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
- Certificates issued under FSQ4.2 and SCS2 before this date will be recognised until their expiry.
1 July 2027
- FSQ5 becomes mandatory for all Freshcare audits.
- All audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
- Existing Businesses
September 2026
- FSQ5 Standard released and freely available for viewing and download on 1 September 2026.
- Updated resources, implementation guidance and transition information become available throughout September.
October 2026
- FSQ5 training becomes available in late October, supporting businesses to understand the new requirements and prepare for transition.
1 March 2027
- Recertification audits to FSQ5 become available.
- Businesses may choose to be certified to FSQ5 or continue under FSQ4.2 / SCS2 until 30 June 2027.
30 June 2027
- Final date for audits to FSQ4.2 and SCS2.
- Certificates issued before this date will be recognised until their expiry.
1 July 2027
- FSQ5 becomes mandatory for all Freshcare audits.
- All audits must be conducted to FSQ5 from this date.
- FSQ4.2 and SCS2 audits will no longer be available.
What training is needed for the new standard?
A management representative from your business must complete approved Freshcare training, relevant to FSQ5. Different training options for FSQ5 will be available, depending on what Freshcare training your business has most recently completed. Click on the options below to see which training your business needs:
- FSQ5 Transition Training Module
Partial training course covering key areas of change.
This training option is required for business that have completed training to any of the following editions:- FSQ4.2
- FSQ4.1
- FSQ4
- SCS2
- SCS1
- FSQ5 Training Course
Full training course covering the FSQ5 standard.
This training option is required for:
- Businesses that have not held previous Freshcare certification
- Businesses that have completed training over 10 or more years ago to earlier editions (e.g. FSQ-COP3)
- When will FSQ5 training be available?
Updates to Freshcare training will be available from late October 2026. Get in touch with your trainer or stay connected with Freshcare for updates.
A Look at the Updated Standard Structure
FSQ5 will support certification across on-farm and supply chain activities under a single, consolidated framework. This framework has been developed through extensive consultation to reflect current and emerging regulatory and market expectations.
Sections
Sections outline the key FSQ5 Standard compliance areas. Each Section contains Modules which outline specific requirements.
Modules
Modules are the segments which sit under standard Sections and contain standard Elements you are already familiar with from FSQ4.2 and SCS2.
*Subject to change prior to official release date
What's Changing? Same foundation. Stronger standard.
FSQ5 formalises good practice, building on what you already do. If you're certified under FSQ4.2 or SCS2 you likely meet these expectations. Most changes to the standard clarify existing requirements, rather than introducing entirely new obligations. Check out the key changes by clicking on the options below:
- On-farm and Supply Chain
Food Safety and Supply Chain programs become a single unified standard
FSQ5 combines food safety, quality and supply chain requirements into a single standard, reducing duplication and creating a more streamlined certification experience. FSQ5’s integrated standard supports greater consistency in food safety and quality expectations across the supply chain and reduces complexity for businesses operating across multiple activities.
- Standard Structure & Clarity
Improved structure and clearer requirements
FSQ5 has been reorganised for easier navigation. Requirements are clearer, duplication is reduced, and the standard is more straightforward to apply in practice.
- Food Safety Management System
Strengthened Food Safety Management System
A more robust framework with clearer expectations for documented procedures and records, informed by a review of HACCP-based requirements to ensure that risk is managed.
- Risk & Preventative Controls
Stronger emphasis on risk assessment
FSQ5 places greater emphasis on understanding and managing the risks relevant to your business, helping businesses focus their efforts where they matter most.
- Food Safety Culture
Enhanced Food Safety Culture
Food safety is about more than policies and procedures. FSQ5 places greater emphasis on creating a workplace where everyone understands their role in producing safe food and feels responsible for doing the right thing every day.
- Biosecurity
Biosecurity requirements introduced
Biosecurity has been formally included in the standard for the first time. Businesses will be encouraged to consider how they identify and manage risks associated with pests, diseases and contamination that could impact their operations.
What does this mean for GFSI recognition?
Stay up to date
This page will continue to be updated as new resources, training materials and transition guidance is released. Subscribe to the Freshcare newsletter to receive updates regularly.