BRC
GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety management
SQF
GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety management.
Quick Verdict
BRC provides retailer-driven food safety certification with 9 structured clauses for manufacturers, while SQF offers modular HACCP-based systems across farm-to-fork. Companies adopt them for GFSI recognition, market access, and risk reduction via audits.
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- GFSI-benchmarked certification for food manufacturer audits
- Senior management commitment and food safety culture plan
- Codex HACCP-based system with prerequisite programs
- Nine core clauses including site standards and zoning
- Graded performance (AA/A/B/C/D) with unannounced options
SQF
SQF Food Safety Code Edition 9
Key Features
- Modular architecture: Module 2 plus sector GMP modules
- HACCP-based Food Safety Plan with validation/verification
- Mandatory full-time SQF Practitioner role
- GFSI-benchmarked for global retailer acceptance
- Annual audits with unannounced options and scoring
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 prescriptive, auditable management system combining senior management commitment and Codex HACCP-based food safety plans supported by robust prerequisite programs (PRPs).
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP, FSQMS, site standards, product/process controls, personnel, high-risk zoning, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) critical for certification.
- Built on HACCP principles, expanded for environmental monitoring, food defence, and fraud (VACCP).
- Annual audits with grading (AA/A/B/C/D, + for unannounced).
Why Organizations Use It
Provides retailer market access, reduces duplicative audits, evidences due diligence, mitigates recall risks (allergens, pathogens, labelling). Enhances operational resilience, insurance terms, and consumer trust; aligns with FSMA.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, documentation, training, mock audits (6-12 months typical). Applies to manufacturers globally; requires accredited certification body audits, root cause CAPA, continuous improvement via PDCA.
SQF Details
What It Is
Safe Quality Food (SQF) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification program and HACCP-based management system for food safety and quality. Administered by SQFI, it applies across the supply chain from farm to fork, using a risk-based, modular approach with universal Module 2 (system elements) paired with sector-specific Good Practices.
Key Components
- **Modular structureModule 2 covers management commitment, HACCP plans, verification, traceability, allergens, defense/fraud; sector modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs) add operational PRPs.
- Over 20 mandatory elements in Module 2.
- Built on Codex/NACMCF HACCP principles.
- Annual third-party audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades).
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets retailer/brand requirements as 'license to trade'.
- Aligns with FSMA/EU regs for due diligence.
- Reduces recalls, audits, waste; builds resilience.
- Enhances market access, supplier trust, food safety culture.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, document HACCP/PRPs, train staff, internal audits, certify.
- Applies to manufacturers, storage, all sizes; global scope.
- Requires SQF Practitioner, annual surveillance audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | BRC | SQF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food Safety (9 clauses), packaging, storage, agents | Modular: Module 2 + sector GMPs (e.g., Module 11) |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, global retailers, all sizes | Farm-to-fork, manufacturing to retail, global |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked certification standard, voluntary | GFSI-benchmarked certification, voluntary |
| Testing | Annual announced/unannounced audits, grading AA/A/B | Annual audits, unannounced periodic, scored E/G/C/F |
| Penalties | Grade downgrade, certification loss, no legal fines | Nonconformance points, certification suspension/denial |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BRC and SQF
BRC FAQ
SQF FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
TISAX Tabletop Exercises for EV Battery Suppliers: Ransomware Drill Scripts and AAR Templates with 2025 ENX Podcast Breakdown
Practical TISAX tabletop scripts for EV battery suppliers facing 'Very High' ASLP. Download ransomware AAR templates, get 2024 ENX lessons & 2025 podcast on VDA
CIS Controls v8.1 for Cloud & Kubernetes: A Practical Implementation Playbook (AWS/Azure/GCP + IaC)
Translate CIS Controls v8.1 to cloud-native: Kubernetes patterns for IAM, logging, vuln mgmt, hardening on AWS, Azure, GCP + IaC. Practical playbook for teams.
ISO 27701 Implementation Roadmap: Extending Your ISMS to PIMS in 12 Months or Less
Extend ISO 27001 ISMS to ISO 27701 PIMS in 12 months with our phased roadmap. Templates, checklists & infographics for RoPA, DSARs & audit-ready privacy complia
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
TOGAF vs Basel III
Compare TOGAF vs Basel III: EA framework vs banking regs. Discover how TOGAF drives Basel III compliance, optimizing capital, liquidity & IT resilience. Transform your strategy now!
CCPA vs UAE PDPL
Discover CCPA vs UAE PDPL: Key differences in consumer rights, obligations, fines & enforcement. Expert strategies for seamless compliance across CA & UAE. Boost privacy resilience now!
APPI vs CMMI
APPI vs CMMI: Compare Japan's data privacy law with process maturity framework. Master compliance strategies, risk mitigation, and business optimization now. (152)