Standards Comparison

    GMP

    Mandatory
    1963

    Regulatory standards for pharmaceutical manufacturing quality control

    VS

    ISO 14064

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, and verification.

    Quick Verdict

    GMP ensures manufacturing quality for pharma and life sciences via enforced controls, while ISO 14064 standardizes GHG emissions accounting across industries. Companies adopt GMP for regulatory compliance and safety; ISO 14064 for credible sustainability reporting and stakeholder trust.

    Manufacturing Quality

    GMP

    Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP/cGMP)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Preventive controls embedded in processes and facilities
    • Independent quality unit for batch release authority
    • Risk-based quality management (QRM) proportionality
    • Comprehensive documentation ensuring full traceability
    • Validated processes and equipment qualification lifecycle
    Greenhouse Gas Accounting

    ISO 14064

    ISO 14064 GHG quantification and reporting standards

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

    Key Features

    • Three-part modular framework for GHG inventories, projects, assurance
    • Five principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
    • Scopes 1-3 classification with organizational boundaries
    • Risk-based validation/verification processes (ISO 14064-3)
    • Baseline scenarios and additionality for project reductions

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    GMP Details

    What It Is

    Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP/cGMP) are enforceable regulatory frameworks, such as FDA 21 CFR Parts 210/211, EU EudraLex Volume 4, and WHO GMP, establishing minimum standards for manufacturing controls. They ensure products like pharmaceuticals and biologics are consistently produced to quality specifications through preventive, risk-based systems spanning people, premises, processes, and documentation, prioritizing design-in quality over end-testing.

    Key Components

    • Core pillars: 5 Ps (People, Premises, Processes, Procedures, Products)
    • Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS) with QRM, CAPA, change control
    • Validation/qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), documentation hierarchy, independent QA/QC oversight
    • Compliance via inspections, no formal certification but enforced by warnings/recalls

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for market access, GMP mitigates contamination/mix-up risks, reduces recalls/liability, ensures supply reliability. Benefits include operational efficiency, patient protection, global harmonization via ICH Q10.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased risk-based approach: gap analysis, VMP, facility/equipment validation, training, audits. Applies to pharma/biologics manufacturers globally; requires ongoing inspections/self-inspections.

    ISO 14064 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 14064 is an international standard family (ISO 14064-1:2018, -2:2019, -3:2019) providing specifications and guidance for GHG emissions quantification, reporting, and assurance. It addresses organizational inventories (Part 1), project-level reductions (Part 2), and validation/verification (Part 3) using a principle-based approach emphasizing relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy.

    Key Components

    • Three modular parts covering inventories, projects, and assurance.
    • Core principles mirroring GHG Protocol.
    • Boundaries (organizational/operational), Scopes 1-3, baselines, and risk-based verification.
    • No fixed controls; compliance via transparent reporting and optional third-party assurance under ISO 14065.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enables credible GHG disclosures for regulations (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investors, and carbon markets.
    • Drives operational efficiencies, risk mitigation, and stakeholder trust.
    • Supports decarbonization strategies and competitive differentiation in supply chains.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: governance, boundary-setting, data collection, verification.
    • Applies to all sizes/industries; mid-large firms typical.
    • Voluntary with third-party verification for credibility. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    GMP
    Manufacturing quality controls across production lifecycle
    ISO 14064
    GHG emissions quantification, reporting, verification

    Industry

    GMP
    Pharma, biologics, devices, food, cosmetics globally
    ISO 14064
    All sectors worldwide for GHG inventories/projects

    Nature

    GMP
    Mandatory enforceable regulations with inspections
    ISO 14064
    Voluntary international standards for assurance

    Testing

    GMP
    Process validation, equipment qualification, audits
    ISO 14064
    Independent validation/verification of inventories

    Penalties

    GMP
    Warning letters, recalls, fines, shutdowns
    ISO 14064
    No legal penalties, loss of credibility/certification

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about GMP and ISO 14064

    GMP FAQ

    ISO 14064 FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    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.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages