ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management
SQF
GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification standard
Quick Verdict
ISO 45001 provides a global OH&S management system for all industries to prevent injuries, while SQF delivers GFSI-recognized food safety certification for supply chains. Companies adopt ISO 45001 for worker safety compliance and SQF for retailer market access.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Key Features
- High-Level Structure enabling integrated management systems
- Top management accountability with worker participation
- Risk-based planning addressing risks and opportunities
- Hierarchy of controls prioritizing hazard elimination
- PDCA cycle for continual OH&S improvement
SQF
Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code Edition 9
Key Features
- Modular structure: Module 2 plus sector GMPs
- HACCP-based Food Safety Plan mandatory
- SQF Practitioner for onsite leadership
- GFSI-benchmarked annual audits with scoring
- Traceability, recall, food defense requirements
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 45001 Details
What It Is
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, improve OH&S performance, using a risk-based approach aligned with the High-Level Structure (Annex SL) and PDCA cycle.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
- Emphasis on hierarchy of controls, worker participation, change management.
- No fixed controls; scalable requirements for documented information and objectives.
- Optional third-party certification via audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces incidents, legal risks, costs; enhances resilience, reputation.
- Meets stakeholder expectations, supply-chain demands.
- Integrates with ISO 9001/14001 for efficiency.
- Drives culture shift to proactive safety governance.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls, audits, certification.
- Applicable to all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
- Involves training, worker consultation, KPI monitoring.
SQF Details
What It Is
Safe Quality Food (SQF) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification program administered by SQFI. It ensures food safety and quality across the supply chain via a HACCP-based, modular management system for manufacturing, storage, and distribution.
Key Components
- Module 2 (universal system elements: management commitment, HACCP plan, verification, traceability)
- Sector-specific GMP modules (e.g., Module 11 for processing)
- Over 200 auditable clauses emphasizing PRPs, food defense, allergens
- Built on Codex HACCP principles; annual third-party audits with scoring
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets retailer mandates for market access
- Reduces recalls, audits, and risks
- Builds food safety culture and supplier trust
- Aligns with FSMA, enhances resilience
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification
- Applies to all sizes, food sectors globally
- Requires SQF Practitioner, mock recalls; 6-12 months typical
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 45001 | SQF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Occupational health & safety management | Food safety & quality management |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, scalable | Food manufacturing, supply chain primarily |
| Nature | Voluntary ISO certification standard | GFSI-benchmarked food certification |
| Testing | Internal audits, management reviews | Annual third-party audits, unannounced |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal fines | Certification loss, market access denial |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 45001 and SQF
ISO 45001 FAQ
SQF FAQ
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