The ISO Standard for Food loss and waste.

 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)


In September 2025, the International Organization forStandardization (ISO) released ISO/DIS 20001, a draft of standardized procedures for minimizing food loss and wasteacross the food supply chain. These standards are meant to apply to all organizations (e.g., food producers, food processors and manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and food-related charities) within the food supply chain. The draft details requirements for what is described as a “Food Loss and Waste Management System” (FLWMS). The FLWMS lays out how an organization intends to address food loss and waste within its operations. At its most essential, ISO/DIS 20001 enables an organization “to plan, implement, operate, maintain, review, improve and update a FLWMS to minimize [food loss and waste] within its operations and/or its supply chain.” It provides guidance and requirements related to measurement, reporting, reduction activities, evaluation and assurance, and communication of food loss and waste reduction efforts. The document is open for comment until December 1, 2025, and will be revised and finalized in 2026

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