APPI
Japan's law regulating personal data handling and privacy
ISO 22000
International standard for food safety management systems
Quick Verdict
APPI mandates privacy protections for Japanese personal data handlers, enforced by PPC fines up to ¥100M. ISO 22000 is voluntary certification ensuring food safety via HACCP and PRPs. Companies adopt APPI for legal compliance, ISO 22000 for market trust and chain resilience.
APPI
Act on the Protection of Personal Information
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope targets foreign businesses handling Japanese data
- Broad personal information definition includes pseudonymous biometric data
- Explicit prior consent required for sensitive cross-border transfers
- Pseudonymously processed info enables flexible analytics without re-consent
- PPC fines up to ¥100M with mandatory breach notifications
ISO 22000
ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems
Key Features
- High-Level Structure (HLS) for system integration
- Dual PDCA cycles for strategic and operational control
- HACCP-based hazard analysis with CCPs and OPRPs
- Prerequisite programs (PRPs) for hygiene baseline
- Risk-based leadership and communication requirements
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
APPI Details
What It Is
Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) is Japan's primary national regulation enacted in 2003 with major 2022 amendments. It governs collection, use, security, and transfer of personal data by businesses handling Japanese residents' information. Scope includes extraterritorial reach for foreign entities targeting Japan, emphasizing purpose limitation, explicit consent, and data subject rights via a risk-based compliance approach.
Key Components
- Core principles: transparency, minimization, security, rights (access, correction, deletion).
- Distinguishes sensitive personal information (medical, racial data) requiring prior consent.
- Pseudonymously Processed Information for analytics flexibility.
- Enforced by Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) with ¥100M fines; no formal certification but P Mark voluntary.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for data handlers; avoids PPC penalties, reputational damage. Builds consumer trust (78% prefer compliant brands), enables cross-border transfers via SCCs, yields 20-30% efficiency gains, supports AI innovation.
Implementation Overview
Phased 12-24 month framework: gap analysis, governance, technical controls, testing, monitoring. Applies to all sizes/industries handling personal data; SMEs lighter touch, enterprises full GRC integration. No mandatory audits but PPC inspections common.
ISO 22000 Details
What It Is
ISO 22000:2018 is the international standard for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It provides a certifiable framework for organizations in the food chain to ensure safe products through systematic hazard control. Its risk-based approach integrates HACCP principles with management system discipline using the High-Level Structure (HLS) and dual PDCA cycles.
Key Components
- **Clauses 4-10Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
- Core elements: PRPs, hazard analysis, CCPs/OPRPs, traceability, communication.
- Built on Codex HACCP, with ~30 key requirements for hazard control and governance.
- Voluntary certification via accredited bodies.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets regulatory/customer requirements; reduces recalls and risks.
- Enhances market access, supplier qualification, and GFSI alignment (e.g., FSSC 22000).
- Builds trust, integrates with ISO 9001/14001, drives efficiency.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, PRPs/HACCP design, training, audits.
- Applies to all food chain organizations; scalable by size.
- Certification: stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | APPI | ISO 22000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy | Food safety management systems |
| Industry | All data-handling sectors, Japan-focused | Food chain organizations worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory national law with PPC enforcement | Voluntary ISO certification standard |
| Testing | PPC audits and self-assessments | Internal audits and certification body reviews |
| Penalties | ¥100M fines, imprisonment for breaches | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about APPI and ISO 22000
APPI FAQ
ISO 22000 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

The Service-Oriented SOC: Leveraging Maturity Assessments to Guarantee SLOs and Operational Predictability
Transform your SOC into a service provider using maturity assessments to standardize workflows, guarantee SLOs, and ensure predictability amid turnover and risi

Top 10 NIST CSF 2.0 Myths Busted: Separating Hype from Reality for Smarter Adoption
Bust 10 NIST CSF 2.0 myths like 'only for critical infrastructure' or 'Govern replaces Identify'. Plain-English breakdowns, evidence, and fixes for flexible ris

The Tool Landscape for Reaching and Maintaining ISO 27701 Compliance
Discover the top tools for ISO 27701 compliance. Compare functionality, complexity, costs, and benefits to choose the best solution for your privacy program. Ac
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
SAFe vs ISO 30301
SAFe vs ISO 30301: Agile scaling meets records governance. Compare frameworks for enterprise agility, compliance & ROI. Essential SAFe to Full vs MSR certifiability—boost velocity now!
CMMI vs ISO 28000
Discover CMMI vs ISO 28000: Process maturity meets supply chain security. Compare key differences, benefits like risk reduction & efficiency. Choose the best for your ops now!
ISO 27032 vs ISO 31000
ISO 27032 vs ISO 31000: Cybersecurity for Internet threats meets enterprise risk management. Align strategies, boost resilience, ensure compliance—discover key differences now!