K-PIPA
South Korea's stringent personal data protection regulation
SQF
GFSI-recognized certification for food safety management systems
Quick Verdict
K-PIPA mandates data privacy for Korean operations with consent and fines up to 3% revenue, while SQF certifies food safety via HACCP audits. Companies adopt K-PIPA for legal compliance, SQF for market access and supply chain trust.
K-PIPA
Personal Information Protection Act
Key Features
- Mandates independent Chief Privacy Officer for all handlers
- Requires granular explicit consent for sensitive transfers
- Demands 72-hour breach notifications to data subjects
- Applies extraterritorially to foreign entities targeting Koreans
- Levies fines up to 3% of global annual revenue
SQF
Safe Quality Food (SQF) Food Safety Code
Key Features
- Modular structure: Module 2 plus sector-specific GMPs
- HACCP-based Food Safety Plan with validation
- GFSI-benchmarked global certification recognition
- Mandatory full-time SQF Practitioner role
- Annual graded audits with unannounced options
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
K-PIPA Details
What It Is
K-PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) is South Korea's comprehensive data privacy regulation, enacted in 2011 with key amendments in 2020, 2023, and 2024. It adopts a consent-centric, risk-based approach protecting personal, sensitive, and unique identification information of Korean residents, applying to all data handlers including foreign entities targeting Korea.
Key Components
- Mandatory CPOs with independence, audits, and training oversight
- **Core principlestransparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, granular opt-in consent
- **Data subject rightsaccess, rectification, erasure, portability, automated decision objections (10-day responses)
- **Securityencryption, access controls per 2024 PIPC Guidelines
- **Breach response72-hour notifications; PIPC enforcement with 3% revenue fines
Why Organizations Use It
Ensures legal compliance avoiding multimillion fines (e.g., Google KRW 70B); builds consumer trust; facilitates EU adequacy data flows; mitigates risks in high-penalty landscape; enhances reputation for market entry.
Implementation Overview
Phased roadmap: gap analysis, data mapping, CPO appointment, PbD integration, vendor DPAs, training, breach playbooks. Applies universally to processors of Korean data; PIPC audits, no formal certification but ISMS-P recommended. (178 words)
SQF Details
What It Is
Safe Quality Food (SQF) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification program and HACCP-based management system ensuring food safety and optional quality across supply chains—from farms to retail. It uses a modular, risk-based approach with universal system elements paired to sector-specific Good Practices.
Key Components
- **Module 2 (System Elements)Management commitment, HACCP Food Safety Plan, verification, traceability, food defense, allergens, training.
- Sector modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
- Built on Codex HACCP principles; 100+ auditable clauses.
- Third-party certification with graded audits (E/G/C/F scores).
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets retailer mandates, aligns with FSMA/EU regs.
- Reduces recalls, audit duplication; boosts market access.
- Enhances food safety culture, supplier approval.
- Drives efficiency, resilience, stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification.
- All sizes/industries; SQF Practitioner required.
- Annual audits, unannounced options; 6-12 months typical.
Key Differences
| Aspect | K-PIPA | SQF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection, consent, rights | Food safety, HACCP, quality management |
| Industry | All sectors processing Korean data | Food manufacturing, storage, distribution |
| Nature | Mandatory national privacy law | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification |
| Testing | PIPC investigations, no mandatory audits | Annual third-party audits, certification |
| Penalties | 3% revenue fines, imprisonment | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about K-PIPA and SQF
K-PIPA FAQ
SQF FAQ
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