What is the primary objective of SQF?

The primary objective of SQF is to provide a rigorous, HACCP-based food safety management system that assures consistent production of safe food products across the supply chain. Administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI), it integrates Module 2 System Elements (management commitment, HACCP plans, verification, traceability) with sector-specific Good Practices modules (e.g., Module 11 for food manufacturing GMPs). This GFSI-benchmarked framework emphasizes "say what you do, do what you say, prove it" through documented policies, PRPs, validation, and continuous improvement.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with SQF?

SQF compliance is not legally mandated but is a professional requirement for suppliers to major retailers, brand owners, and foodservice providers worldwide. It applies to organizations in food manufacturing (Module 2 + 11), storage/distribution, packaging, primary production, pet food, and supplements, based on Food Sector Categories (FSCs). Over 14,000 sites in 40+ countries pursue certification as a "license to trade," with senior management designating a full-time, HACCP-trained SQF Practitioner.

Does SQF require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, SQF mandates external audits by SQFI-licensed Certification Bodies (CBs) accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 for certification. Annual certification audits (initial, surveillance, recertification) scope products, processes, and modules, with unannounced audits every 3 years. Nonconformities are graded (minor=1pt, major=10pts, critical=50pts); passing requires scores ≥70 (C grade minimum), with CAPA closure typically within 30 days.

How often should an assessment for SQF be performed?

SQF requires annual external certification audits, with internal audits performed at planned frequencies to verify system effectiveness. Management reviews occur at least annually (with monthly SQF Practitioner updates), covering audits, CAPA, complaints, and hazards. Internal audits (2.5.5) must cover all elements; mock recalls and crisis plans are tested annually. Gap assessments precede certification by 60-90 days.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with SQF?

Non-compliance with SQF results in audit failure, certification denial/suspension, and commercial exclusion from GFSI-recognized supply chains. Critical nonconformities (e.g., uncontrolled hazards) trigger immediate suspension; majors require CAPA evidence within 30 days. Repeated failures lead to CB delisting, lost retailer contracts, recalls, and reputational damage, with no direct fines but heightened regulatory scrutiny.

An SQF be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, SQF maps to GFSI-benchmarked frameworks through its HACCP foundation and management system elements. Module 2 aligns with preventive controls logic (e.g., supplier approval, validation/verification, traceability), enabling integration with existing HACCP or ISO 22000 systems. The Quality Code layers atop Food Safety certification for enhanced quality alignment.

What is the first step to begin implementing SQF?

The first step to implement SQF is to register the site in the SQFI assessment database and designate a full-time, HACCP-trained SQF Practitioner. Select applicable modules (e.g., Module 2 + 11), conduct a gap assessment against Edition 9 (effective May 2021), and secure senior management commitment via a signed Food Safety Policy (2.1.1).

What is the primary objective of AS9120B?

AS9120B's primary objective is to establish a quality management system (QMS) for organizations that procure, store, split, and resell aerospace parts without altering product characteristics. Built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure, it adds over 100 aerospace-specific requirements addressing distribution risks like loss of traceability, counterfeit/suspected unapproved parts, documentation errors, and external provider controls to ensure chain-of-custody integrity.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9120B?

AS9120B applies to stockist distributors, pass-through distributors, and those performing batch splitting in aviation, space, and defense supply chains. It targets organizations purchasing, storing, and reselling parts without modification; certification is not legally mandatory but is a commercial requirement from OEMs and primes for supply chain approval, with over 2,500 global certifications (850+ in the U.S.) as of March 2026 enabling OASIS listing and market access.

Does AS9120B require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, AS9120B requires third-party certification through accredited registrars via Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (implementation) audits per IAQG rules. Certification, valid for 3 years with annual surveillance, demonstrates QMS conformance; internal audits support ongoing compliance, but external audits by certification bodies are essential for OASIS registration and customer qualification.

How often should an assessment for AS9120B be performed?

AS9120B requires internal audits at planned intervals to cover the QMS annually, plus management reviews at defined intervals aligned with performance needs. Surveillance audits occur annually post-certification, with full recertification every 3 years; assessments evaluate monitoring, customer satisfaction, supplier performance, risks, and corrective actions per Clauses 9.2 and 9.3.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9120B?

Non-compliance with AS9120B risks contract disqualification, supply chain exclusion, and audit nonconformities leading to certification suspension. Common pitfalls like weak traceability, counterfeit controls, or supplier evaluation trigger major findings, potential recalls, legal liabilities for safety issues, and commercial losses as OEMs mandate certification for vendor lists.

An AS9120B be mapped to other international frameworks?

AS9120B aligns directly with ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure, enabling seamless mapping of its 10 clauses. It augments ISO 9001 with distributor-specific additions (e.g., counterfeit prevention, traceability for split lots), facilitating integration while requiring justification for "not applicable" clauses like 8.3 design in scope documentation.

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9120B?

The first step is conducting a formal gap analysis against AS9120B clauses using cross-functional teams to map current processes. This identifies priorities like supplier controls and traceability, justifies scope/not applicable determinations (Clause 4.3), and produces a risk register and implementation backlog for leadership review.

Standards Comparison

SQF vs AS9120B

SQF

Voluntary

2023

GFSI-benchmarked HACCP-based food safety certification standard

AS9120B

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace standard for distributors' quality management systems.

Quick Verdict

SQF ensures food safety via HACCP and GMPs for global food chains, while AS9120B mandates QMS with traceability and counterfeit controls for aerospace distributors. Companies adopt SQF for retailer access and recalls prevention; AS9120B for OEM approval and supply chain trust.

Agile Scaling

SQF

Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code Edition 9

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Modular architecture pairs Module 2 with sector GMPs
GFSI-benchmarked certification enables global market access
HACCP-based food safety plan with validation/verification
Mandates full-time onsite SQF Practitioner role
Implements 'say what you do, do what you say, prove it'

Quality Management

AS9120B

AS9120B Quality Management Systems for Distributors

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
Enhanced traceability and chain-of-custody controls
Risk-based external provider evaluation and monitoring
Configuration management for sales orders and splits
Product safety and ethical behavior awareness

Detailed Analysis

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

SQF Details

What It Is

Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code Edition 9 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification program administered by SQFI. It ensures food safety and quality across supply chains from farm to fork via HACCP-based risk management and modular structure.

Key Components

Module 2 Universal system elements (management commitment, HACCP plan, verification, traceability).
Sector modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
~20 mandatory elements like SQF Practitioner, CAPA, food defense.
Annual audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades), unannounced checks.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer mandates for market access.
Reduces recalls, audit duplication via GFSI recognition.
Builds food safety culture, supplier resilience.
Enhances due diligence for FSMA/EU alignment.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification.
Applies to manufacturing, storage, all sizes; 6-12 months typical.
Requires licensed CB audits, continuous improvement.

AS9120B Details

What It Is

AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aerospace distributors, building on ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure. It applies to organizations procuring, storing, splitting, and reselling parts without alteration, using a risk-based approach to address distribution risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.

Key Components

Over 100 aerospace-specific requirements beyond ISO 9001.
Core areas: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention), performance evaluation, improvement.
Built on PDCA cycle; requires documented information, not a full manual.
Certification via accredited bodies, leading to OASIS listing.

Why Organizations Use It

Commercial necessity for OEM/Tier-1 supply chains.
Mitigates risks of nonconformities, counterfeits, legal liabilities.
Enhances market access, customer trust, operational efficiency.
Builds stakeholder confidence in chain-of-custody.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months typical).
Applies to aviation/space/defense distributors globally.
Stage 1/2 certification audits required.

Key Differences

Aspect	SQF	AS9120B
Scope	Food safety management, HACCP, GMPs, traceability	Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention
Industry	Food manufacturing, storage, distribution globally	Aerospace parts distributors worldwide
Nature	GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification	IAQG quality management certification standard
Testing	Annual third-party audits, unannounced audits	Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance audits
Penalties	Loss of certification, market access denial	Certification suspension, supply chain exclusion

Scope

SQF

Food safety management, HACCP, GMPs, traceability

AS9120B

Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention

Industry

SQF

Food manufacturing, storage, distribution globally

AS9120B

Aerospace parts distributors worldwide

Nature

SQF

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification

AS9120B

IAQG quality management certification standard

Testing

SQF

Annual third-party audits, unannounced audits

AS9120B

Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance audits

Penalties

SQF

Loss of certification, market access denial

AS9120B

Certification suspension, supply chain exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SQF and AS9120B

SQF FAQ

AS9120B FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

Module 2 Universal system elements (management commitment, HACCP plan, verification, traceability).
Sector modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
~20 mandatory elements like SQF Practitioner, CAPA, food defense.
Annual audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades), unannounced checks.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer mandates for market access.
Reduces recalls, audit duplication via GFSI recognition.
Builds food safety culture, supplier resilience.
Enhances due diligence for FSMA/EU alignment.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification.
Applies to manufacturing, storage, all sizes; 6-12 months typical.
Requires licensed CB audits, continuous improvement.

What It Is

Key Components

Over 100 aerospace-specific requirements beyond ISO 9001.

Core areas: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention), performance evaluation, improvement.

Built on PDCA cycle; requires documented information, not a full manual.

Certification via accredited bodies, leading to OASIS listing.

Aspect

SQF

AS9120B

Scope

Food safety management, HACCP, GMPs, traceability

Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention

Industry

Food manufacturing, storage, distribution globally

Aerospace parts distributors worldwide

Nature

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification

IAQG quality management certification standard

Testing

Annual third-party audits, unannounced audits

Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance audits

Penalties

Loss of certification, market access denial

Certification suspension, supply chain exclusion