BRC
GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety management
MAS TRM
Singapore guidelines for financial technology risk management
Quick Verdict
BRC ensures food safety certification for global manufacturers via audits, while MAS TRM mandates technology risk governance for Singapore FIs through cyber resilience and supervisory enforcement. Food firms adopt BRC for market access; banks use TRM to avoid fines.
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- GFSI-benchmarked certification for food manufacturers
- Senior management commitment as fundamental requirement
- Codex HACCP plan with prerequisite programs
- Graded audits AA/A/B/C/D with unannounced option
- Strict risk zoning and environmental monitoring
MAS TRM
MAS Technology Risk Management Guidelines 2021
Key Features
- Board and senior management accountability
- Proportional risk-based controls
- Third-party risk integration
- Annual penetration testing for internet systems
- Defence-in-depth cyber resilience
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) as non-negotiable controls.
- Performance-based grading (AA/A/B/C/D, + for unannounced).
- Annual third-party audits by certification bodies.
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to retailers mandating GFSI schemes, reduces duplicative audits, demonstrates due diligence, mitigates recall risks from allergens/pathogens/labelling, builds supply-chain trust, and supports regulatory compliance like FSMA.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, mock audits, certification. Applies to manufacturing sites globally; 6-12 months typical for mid-sized firms, requiring CAPEX for site upgrades and ongoing surveillance.
MAS TRM Details
What It Is
MAS Technology Risk Management (TRM) Guidelines (January 2021) are supervisory guidelines from Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for financial institutions. This risk-based framework focuses on governance, cybersecurity, resilience, and third-party risks to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT systems.
Key Components
- 15 sections covering governance, asset management, SDLC, IT service management, resilience, access controls, cryptography, cyber operations, testing, and audit.
- Emphasizes board accountability, proportionality, defence-in-depth, and continuous improvement.
- No fixed controls; compliance via supervisory review, not certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for Singapore FIs to avoid fines, license issues.
- Enhances operational resilience, reduces cyber risks, builds trust.
- Supports ERM integration, innovation like AI/cloud securely.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance setup, asset inventory, control design, testing, monitoring.
- Targets banks, insurers, fintechs in Singapore; scales by size/risk.
- Involves audits, no formal certification; evidence-based assurance.
Key Differences
| Aspect | BRC | MAS TRM |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety, quality, supply chain standards | Technology, cyber risk, IT resilience in finance |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, packaging, global retailers | Singapore financial institutions only |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification | Supervisory guidelines with enforcement |
| Testing | Annual site audits, internal audits | Penetration tests, DR tests, cyber exercises |
| Penalties | Certification loss, grade downgrade | Fines, license revocation, prohibitions |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BRC and MAS TRM
BRC FAQ
MAS TRM FAQ
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