SQF
GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety management systems
CSA
Canadian consensus standards for occupational health and safety
Quick Verdict
SQF delivers GFSI-recognized food safety certification for global supply chains, ensuring HACCP-based controls and market access. CSA provides OHS management standards for hazard control and worker safety, often legally binding in Canada. Companies adopt SQF for trade, CSA for compliance.
SQF
SQF Food Safety Code Edition 9
Key Features
- Modular structure: universal Module 2 plus sector GMP modules
- GFSI-benchmarked certification for global supply chain acceptance
- HACCP-based Food Safety Plan with PRPs foundation
- Mandatory full-time on-site SQF Practitioner role
- 'Say what you do, do what you say, prove it' triad
CSA
CSA Z1000 Occupational Health and Safety Management
Key Features
- PDCA-based OHS management system structure
- Structured hazard identification and classification
- Risk assessment with severity-likelihood-exposure
- Hierarchy of controls prioritization
- Worker participation and leadership commitment
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
SQF Details
What It Is
SQF Food Safety Code Edition 9 is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food safety management. It applies HACCP principles across the supply chain from farm to fork, using a modular structure with Module 2 (system elements) paired with sector-specific Good Practices modules.
Key Components
- Management commitment, document control, HACCP-based Food Safety Plan, verification, traceability, food defense, allergens, training.
- Over 20 mandatory Module 2 elements plus GMP/PRPs.
- Built on Codex/NACMCF HACCP; annual third-party audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades).
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to retailers, reduces audit duplication, aligns with FSMA/EU regs, minimizes recalls, builds food safety culture, enhances supplier trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased PDCA approach: gap analysis, system design, training, internal audits, certification via licensed bodies. Suits all sizes/industries; 6-12 months typical for mid-size sites.
CSA Details
What It Is
CSA standards from CSA Group are consensus-based National Standards of Canada spanning health, environment, and safety (HES). CSA Z1000 provides an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) using Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology. CSA Z1002 details hazard identification, risk assessment, and control hierarchies.
Key Components
- PDCA elements: leadership/policy, planning, implementation, checking, management review
- Hazard categories: biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, safety
- Worker participation, hierarchy of controls, audits, continual improvement
- SCC-accredited development with 5-year reviews
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets due diligence for OHS laws, persuasive in courts
- Mandatory when incorporated by reference (~65% built-environment standards)
- Risk reduction, compliance efficiency, reputation enhancement
- Supports policy implementation, procurement, incentives
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, training, hazard registers, audits
- All industries/sizes, Canada-focused but internationally aligned
- Optional certification via SCC bodies; internal/external audits
Key Differences
| Aspect | SQF | CSA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety management across supply chain | Occupational health, hazard identification, risk control |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, storage, distribution globally | All industries, Canada-focused OHS standards |
| Nature | GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification | Consensus-based standards, often legally referenced |
| Testing | Annual third-party audits, unannounced checks | Internal audits, management reviews, certifications |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market exclusion | Fines, prosecution via regulatory incorporation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SQF and CSA
SQF FAQ
CSA FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Thailand PDPA Enforcement Trends 2025: Analyzing 1,048 Complaints, Breach Volumes, and Hidden Lessons for Proactive Compliance
Decode PDPC Thailand's 1,048 complaints & 610 breaches. Uncover consent/security violations, project 2025 enforcement. Risk heatmap, self-assessment & playbook
The Regulatory Radar: How Data-Driven Compliance Tools Provide Strategic Foresight
Unlock strategic foresight with data-driven compliance tools. Act as your regulatory radar: real-time monitoring, automated insights, and 3x cost cuts. Anticipa
ISO 27701 2025 Update: Navigating Standalone Certification Myths, Audit Realities, and a 90-Day PIMS Launch Plan
Debunk ISO 27701 2025 standalone certification myths vs ISO 27001. Get a 90-day PIMS launch roadmap, checklists & audit prep to certify faster amid global priva
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
GDPR vs ITIL
Discover GDPR vs ITIL: How data privacy rules intersect with IT service management. Unlock compliance strategies, synergies, challenges & best practices for secure ops.
ISO 30301 vs U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
ISO 30301 vs U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules: Align records governance with rapid incident disclosure mandates for defensible evidence, compliance & risk mastery. Compare now!
CMMC vs TOGAF
Discover CMMC vs TOGAF: DoD cybersecurity certification vs enterprise architecture framework. Unlock compliance strategies, phased implementation, pitfalls & synergies for DIB success. Dive in!