Standards Comparison

    ISO 27001

    Voluntary
    2022

    International standard for information security management systems

    VS

    REACH

    Mandatory
    2007

    EU regulation for chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 27001 provides voluntary certification for information security across industries, while REACH mandates chemical registration and risk management in the EU. Organizations adopt ISO 27001 for global trust and resilience; REACH ensures market access and legal compliance.

    Cybersecurity

    ISO 27001

    ISO/IEC 27001:2022

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based ISMS framework
    • 93 Annex A controls in four themes
    • PDCA continual improvement cycle
    • Internationally recognized certification
    • Technology-agnostic and scalable
    Chemical Safety

    REACH

    Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)

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

    Key Features

    • Shifts chemical risk management responsibility to industry
    • Registration required for substances over 1 tonne/year
    • SVHC Candidate List triggers communication obligations
    • Authorisation list drives substitution of high-concern substances
    • Restrictions via Annex XVII for unacceptable risks

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 27001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international certification standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It uses a risk-based approach to manage information security risks, protecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability across all asset types.

    Key Components

    • **Clauses 4-10Mandatory requirements for context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • **Annex A93 controls in four themes (Organizational: 37, People: 8, Physical: 14, Technological: 34).
    • Built on PDCA cycle for continual improvement.
    • Statement of Applicability (SoA) justifies control selection.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates compliance and resilience against breaches.
    • Meets regulatory/contractual needs (e.g., GDPR alignment).
    • Reduces incidents by 30%, speeds recovery.
    • Wins bids, builds trust, lowers insurance costs.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: initiation, risk assessment, deployment, certification (6-18 months).
    • Applies to all sizes/industries; voluntary but strategic.
    • Requires audits: Stage 1 (docs), Stage 2 (effectiveness), annual surveillance.

    REACH Details

    What It Is

    REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation governing the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Its primary purpose is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment from chemical risks by shifting responsibility to industry for generating and managing safety data. Scope covers substances, mixtures, and certain articles across the supply chain; it uses a risk-based lifecycle approach with tonnage-triggered data requirements.

    Key Components

    • Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (Annex XIV SVHCs), Restriction (Annex XVII bans/limits).
    • 17 technical annexes defining data needs, SDS rules, exemptions.
    • Built on precautionary principle, PBT/vPvB criteria, supply-chain communication.
    • No certification; continuous compliance via ECHA submissions and national enforcement.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Legal obligation for EU market access; penalties for non-compliance.
    • Manages risks, avoids market bans/recalls, enables substitution.
    • Builds supply-chain transparency, ESG alignment, competitive edge in chemicals-intensive sectors.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, substance inventory, dossiers/CSRs, monitoring.
    • Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users; all sizes, EU/EEA-focused.
    • No central certification; self-audits, national inspections required. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 27001
    Information security management systems
    REACH
    Chemical substance registration and risk management

    Industry

    ISO 27001
    All industries worldwide
    REACH
    Chemicals, manufacturing, EU-focused

    Nature

    ISO 27001
    Voluntary certification standard
    REACH
    Mandatory EU regulation

    Testing

    ISO 27001
    Regular internal/external audits
    REACH
    Dossier submissions and evaluations

    Penalties

    ISO 27001
    Certification loss, no fines
    REACH
    Fines, market bans, seizures

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 27001 and REACH

    ISO 27001 FAQ

    REACH FAQ

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