BRC
Global standard for food safety management systems
EU AI Act
EU regulation for risk-based AI governance and safety
Quick Verdict
BRC ensures food safety certification for global supply chains, while EU AI Act mandates risk-based AI compliance for EU markets. Companies adopt BRC for retailer access and recalls prevention; AI Act for legal market entry and harm mitigation.
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- GFSI-benchmarked certification for food manufacturers
- Nine core clauses with fundamental requirements
- Codex HACCP-based food safety plan
- Senior management commitment and culture plan
- Environmental monitoring and food defence controls
EU AI Act
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act
Key Features
- Risk-based four-tier AI classification framework
- Prohibitions on unacceptable-risk AI practices
- Conformity assessments and CE marking for high-risk
- GPAI model systemic risk obligations
- Fines up to 7% worldwide turnover
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
BRC Details
What It Is
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality through a structured management system combining senior management commitment and a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan supported by prerequisite programs.
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP plan, FSQMS, site standards, product/process control, personnel, high-risk zones, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) critical for certification.
- Built on HACCP principles with expansions for environmental monitoring, food defense, and culture plans.
- Annual audits (announced/unannounced) with grading (AA/A/B/C/D).
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to retailers requiring GFSI certification, reduces duplicative audits, evidences due diligence, mitigates recall risks (allergens, pathogens), and builds stakeholder trust. Enhances operational resilience and aligns with regulations like FSMA.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, HACCP development, site upgrades, training, internal audits. Applies to manufacturers globally; 6-12 months typical for mid-sized sites. Requires certification body audits for ongoing compliance.
EU AI Act Details
What It Is
EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is a comprehensive EU regulation establishing the first horizontal framework for AI. It adopts a risk-based approach, prohibiting unacceptable risks, regulating high-risk systems, imposing transparency on limited-risk AI, and minimally regulating others. Scope covers providers, deployers, and AI value chain actors with EU nexus.
Key Components
- **Four risk tiersprohibitions (Art. 5), high-risk requirements (Arts. 9-15), transparency (Art. 50), GPAI obligations (Ch. V).
- Core elements: risk management, data governance, documentation, human oversight, cybersecurity.
- Compliance via conformity assessments, CE marking, EU database registration.
- Built on product safety principles with hybrid enforcement.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU market access, avoiding fines up to 7% global turnover.
- Enhances risk management, trust, and competitiveness in high-impact sectors like employment, biometrics.
- Builds stakeholder confidence through transparency and accountability.
Implementation Overview
- Phased rollout: prohibitions (6 months), GPAI (12 months), high-risk (24-36 months).
- Involves AI inventory, classification, QMS build, audits.
- Applies EU-wide to all sizes; certification via notified bodies for high-risk.
Key Differences
| Aspect | BRC | EU AI Act |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety, quality, supply chain manufacturing | AI systems by risk: prohibited, high-risk, transparency |
| Industry | Food, packaging, storage globally | All sectors using AI, EU-focused extraterritorial |
| Nature | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification | Mandatory EU regulation with fines |
| Testing | Annual site audits, internal audits | Conformity assessments, notified bodies |
| Penalties | Grade loss, certification withdrawal | Up to 7% global turnover fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BRC and EU AI Act
BRC FAQ
EU AI Act FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Top 5 Unseen Complexities Modern Compliance Software Effortlessly Manages
Uncover top 5 unseen complexities modern compliance software manages effortlessly—from sensitive data mapping to real-time regulatory shifts. Automate audits, i
CMMC Level 2 Implementation Guide for Small DIB Contractors: First 5 Steps to C3PAO Certification with Infographic
Actionable CMMC Level 2 guide for small DIB contractors: 5-step roadmap to C3PAO certification with infographic on timelines, costs & POA&Ms. Achieve DoD compli
CMMC Scoping Mastery for Defense Supply Chains: Enclave Mapping, Subcontractor Flow-Down, and CUI Inventory Blueprint
Master CMMC scoping for DIB: delineate FCI/CUI boundaries, segment enclaves, manage subcontractor flow-down. Prevent 80% assessment failures with SSP templates,
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
ISO 22301 vs U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
Compare ISO 22301 vs U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules: Align BCMS resilience with rapid incident disclosures for superior risk management and investor trust. Learn more now.
ISO 14001 vs UAE PDPL
ISO 14001 vs UAE PDPL: Compare environmental EMS standard with UAE data privacy law. Uncover key differences, synergies & compliance strategies for UAE firms. Align now!
23 NYCRR 500 vs ISO 22301
Discover 23 NYCRR 500 vs ISO 22301: NYDFS cyber regs vs global BCMS. Compare governance, risk assessment, MFA, encryption & recovery for financial resilience. Align for peak compliance!