Standards Comparison

    CCPA

    Mandatory
    2020

    California law granting residents rights over personal data

    VS

    SQF

    Voluntary
    2023

    GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety management

    Quick Verdict

    CCPA mandates consumer privacy rights for California data handlers, enforcing data access and deletion via fines. SQF is voluntary food safety certification ensuring HACCP-based controls through audits. Companies adopt CCPA for legal compliance, SQF for market access and supply chain trust.

    Data Privacy

    CCPA

    California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Consumer right to opt-out of PI sales and sharing
    • Rights to know, delete, correct personal information
    • Threshold-based applicability: $25M revenue or 100K consumers
    • Mandatory notices at collection and privacy policies
    • Fines up to $7,500 per violation plus breach litigation
    Agile Scaling

    SQF

    Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • HACCP-based food safety plans with validation
    • Modular structure: Module 2 plus sector GMPs
    • Mandatory full-time SQF Practitioner role
    • GFSI-benchmarked for global retailer acceptance
    • Rigorous internal audits and traceability requirements

    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), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), is a state regulation establishing consumer privacy rights for California residents. It applies to for-profit businesses meeting thresholds like $25M revenue or handling 100K+ consumers' data. Primary purpose: empower consumers with control over personal information (PI) via rights-based approach, including opt-out of sales/sharing.

    Key Components

    • Core rights: know/access, delete, correct, opt-out of sales/sharing, limit sensitive PI use
    • Obligations: notices at collection, privacy policies, DSAR handling within 45 days, vendor contracts
    • Built on expansive PI definitions (identifiers, inferences, households); enforced by CPPA with $2,500-$7,500 fines per violation
    • No certification; compliance via audits, GPC honoring

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for qualifying businesses to avoid fines, breach litigation ($100-$750 per consumer). Strategic benefits: builds trust, reduces data risks, enables market access, aligns with GDPR-like regimes, improves governance efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: scoping/gap analysis (0-3 months), policies/contracts (1-4 months), technical controls (2-6 months), operationalization/training, ongoing audits. Targets data-heavy industries (tech, retail, adtech) globally processing CA data; requires cross-functional teams, automation tools.

    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. It applies across the supply chain, from primary production to retail, emphasizing risk-based hazard control through modular codes.

    Key Components

    • Module 2 (mandatory system elements: management commitment, document control, HACCP plans, verification, traceability).
    • Sector-specific modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
    • Built on HACCP principles; requires SQF Practitioner, internal audits, PRPs.
    • Certification via licensed bodies with annual audits and scoring.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets retailer/exporter requirements; reduces audit duplication.
    • Mitigates recalls, enhances resilience, improves efficiency.
    • Builds trust, market access; aligns with FSMA/EU regs.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification.
    • Suits all sizes/industries; 6-12 months typical; third-party audits required.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CCPA
    Consumer data privacy rights and obligations
    SQF
    Food safety management and quality systems

    Industry

    CCPA
    All sectors handling CA resident data
    SQF
    Food manufacturing, storage, distribution

    Nature

    CCPA
    Mandatory state regulation with fines
    SQF
    Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification

    Testing

    CCPA
    Internal audits, continuous monitoring
    SQF
    Annual third-party certification audits

    Penalties

    CCPA
    $2,500-$7,500 per violation, breach lawsuits
    SQF
    Loss of certification, market access denial

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CCPA and SQF

    CCPA FAQ

    SQF FAQ

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