NIS2
EU directive for cybersecurity resilience in critical sectors
BRC
Global standard for food safety in manufacturing sites
Quick Verdict
NIS2 mandates cybersecurity resilience for EU critical sectors via risk management and rapid incident reporting, enforced by fines up to 2% turnover. BRC certifies food safety excellence through HACCP and audits for global retailers. Organizations adopt NIS2 for regulatory compliance, BRC for market access.
NIS2
Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2)
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- HACCP-based food safety plan with fundamentals
- Senior management commitment and culture plan
- Environmental monitoring and food defence requirements
- Strict site standards and risk zoning
- GFSI-benchmarked annual grading audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
NIS2 Details
What It Is
NIS2, officially Directive (EU) 2022/2555, is an EU regulation expanding the original NIS Directive to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity across member states. It targets essential and important entities in broadened sectors using a proactive, risk-based approach with continuous assurance.
Key Components
- **Risk managementOngoing assessments, supply chain security, access controls, encryption.
- **Incident reportingEarly warning within 24 hours, detailed within 72 hours, final within 1 month.
- **Corporate accountabilityDirect liability for senior management.
- **Business continuityResilience and recovery plans. Built on standards like ISO 27001; enforced via national authorities with spot checks, no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory compliance avoids fines up to €10M or 2% global turnover. Enhances cyber resilience, ensures service continuity, builds stakeholder trust, mitigates threats, and aligns with regs like GDPR/DORA for competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
Conduct gap analysis, implement measures, register entities, train staff, establish reporting. Applies to medium/large EU entities in 18+ sectors. Varies by member state post-2024 transposition; typically 12-18 months with ongoing audits.
BRC Details
What It Is
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality through a prescriptive, auditable management system combining senior commitment, Codex HACCP, and GMP prerequisites.
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP plan, FSQMS, site standards, product/process control, personnel, risk zones, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergens, internal audits) critical for certification.
- Built on HACCP principles with expansions for environmental monitoring, food defence, fraud.
- Annual third-party audits with grading (AA/A/B/C/D).
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandated by retailers for supply chain access.
- Reduces recalls, audits, enhances due diligence.
- Builds resilience against allergens, pathogens, labelling errors.
- Boosts reputation, market access, operational efficiency.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, mock audits.
- Applies to manufacturers globally; site-specific.
- Requires multidisciplinary teams, digital tools, CAPA; 6-12 months typical.
Key Differences
| Aspect | NIS2 | BRC |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cybersecurity risk management, incident reporting, supply chain security | Food safety management, HACCP, site standards, product control |
| Industry | Essential sectors (energy, transport, digital providers), EU-focused | Food manufacturing, packaging, storage, global retailers |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with national transposition | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification standard |
| Testing | Incident reporting timelines, national CSIRT notifications | Annual third-party audits, announced/unannounced |
| Penalties | Fines up to 2% global turnover or €10M | Certification loss, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NIS2 and BRC
NIS2 FAQ
BRC FAQ
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