CCPA
California regulation granting residents data privacy rights
BRC
GFSI-benchmarked global standard for food safety manufacturing.
Quick Verdict
CCPA mandates privacy rights for California residents' data, enforced by fines and litigation, while BRC is a voluntary food safety certification ensuring manufacturing standards via audits. Companies adopt CCPA for legal compliance, BRC for retailer access and quality assurance.
CCPA
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA)
Key Features
- Grants consumers rights to know, delete, correct, opt-out of sales/sharing
- Applies to businesses over $25M revenue or 100K+ CA data subjects
- Mandates notices at collection and Do Not Sell/Share links
- Requires honoring Global Privacy Control opt-out signals
- Imposes $7,500 per intentional violation fines by CPPA
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- Senior management commitment and food safety culture plan
- Codex HACCP-based food safety plan with fundamentals
- Risk-based environmental monitoring and zoning
- Strict scope rules and exclusions for trust
- Graded certification with unannounced audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
CCPA Details
What It Is
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), is a state regulation empowering California residents with control over personal information. It targets businesses via revenue ($25M+), data volume (100K+ consumers/devices), or sales (50%+ revenue) thresholds. Employs a rights-based, threshold-driven approach for data governance.
Key Components
- Consumer rights: know/access, delete, opt-out sale/sharing, correct, limit sensitive PI use
- Broad PI definition: identifiers, inferences, household data
- Notices at collection, privacy policies, vendor contracts, security measures
- No certification; compliance via documented practices, 45-day request responses
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for qualifiers to evade $2,500-$7,500/violation fines, breach lawsuits
- Enhances trust, data efficiency, market differentiation
- Mitigates risks, aligns with GDPR-like regimes, enables partnerships
Implementation Overview
Phased: scoping (0-3 months), policies/contracts (1-4 months), tech/automation (2-6 months), training/audits (ongoing). Applies globally to CA-tied for-profits; cross-functional, tech-heavy with data mapping, DSAR tools.
BRC Details
What It Is
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a third-party certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality through a structured, auditable management system. Built on Codex HACCP principles and robust prerequisite programs (GMP/GHP), it applies globally to sites handling processed foods, ingredients, primary products, and pet food.
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP plan, FSQMS, site standards, product/process controls, personnel, high-risk zones, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., internal audits, traceability, allergen management) critical for certification.
- GFSI-benchmarked with grading (AA/A/B/C/D), announced/unannounced audits, root cause analysis.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandated by retailers for supply chain access.
- Reduces recalls, enhances due diligence, supports FSMA compliance.
- Builds trust, operational resilience, market differentiation.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification audit. Suited for manufacturers globally; 6-12 months typical for mid-sized sites.
Key Differences
| Aspect | CCPA | BRC |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Consumer data privacy rights and business obligations | Food safety, quality management, and site standards |
| Industry | All businesses handling CA resident data, global reach | Food manufacturers, packaging, storage; worldwide adoption |
| Nature | State regulation with enforcement and private actions | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification standard |
| Testing | Consumer request handling, security audits, no certification | Annual third-party site audits, announced/unannounced |
| Penalties | $2,500-$7,500 per violation, breach litigation | Certification loss, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CCPA and BRC
CCPA FAQ
BRC FAQ
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