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 combines universal **Module 2 System Elements** (management commitment, HACCP Food Safety Plan, verification, traceability) with sector-specific Good Practices modules (e.g., **Module 11** for food manufacturing GMPs). This GFSI-benchmarked framework ensures organizations "say what you do, do what you say, and prove it" through documented controls, PRPs, and continuous improvement.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **SQF**?

**No organization is legally required to comply with SQF, as it is a voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification program.** Professionally, it is mandated by major retailers, brand owners, and foodservice providers for suppliers in food manufacturing, storage/distribution, packaging, and primary production. Sites across **Food Sector Categories (FSCs)** must implement **Module 2** plus relevant GMP modules for certification, serving as a "license to trade" for 14,000+ global sites.

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

**Yes, SQF requires external audits by SQFI-licensed Certification Bodies (CBs) accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 for certification.** Annual certification audits (initial, surveillance, recertification) include periodic unannounced audits, nonconformity grading (minor/major/critical), and scoring (E:96–100, G:86–95). Certificates, valid 12 months, are publicly listed in the SQFI directory.

How often should an assessment for **SQF** be performed?

**Internal assessments for SQF must be performed through ongoing verification, with full internal audits at least annually.** **Module 2.5.5** mandates internal audits covering all elements, plus management reviews (monthly practitioner updates, annual full review). Gap assessments occur pre-implementation (30–60 days post-records) and 60–90 days pre-certification audit; external audits are annual.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **SQF**?

**Non-compliance with SQF results in audit failure, certification denial/suspension, and loss of market access to GFSI-demanding buyers.** Critical nonconformities (e.g., uncontrolled hazards) trigger immediate suspension; majors/minors require CAPA closure (often 30 days). Commercial impacts include rejected supplier status, duplicative audits, recalls, and reputational damage—no direct legal fines, but tied to regulatory due diligence.

Can **SQF** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, SQF maps to other GFSI-benchmarked frameworks and systems like HACCP, ISO 22000, and FSMA preventive controls.** **Module 2** aligns with management system elements (document control, CAPA, internal audits); sector modules support PRP equivalents. SQF Quality Code layers atop Food Safety Codes, enabling integration without full duplication.

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, on-site SQF Practitioner.** Per **Part A** and **2.1.2**, the HACCP-trained Practitioner leads system development; follow with gap analysis against **Edition 9** (effective May 2021), scope definition (modules/FSCs), and executive food safety policy.

What is the primary objective of **EU AI Act**?

**The primary objective of the EU AI Act is to establish a risk-based regulatory framework that prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices, imposes strict obligations on high-risk AI systems, mandates transparency for limited-risk systems, and fosters trustworthy AI across the EU.** Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, effective 1 August 2024, protects health, safety, and fundamental rights while enabling innovation through its four-tier model: unacceptable (Article 5 bans), high-risk (Annexes I/III), limited-risk (Article 50), and minimal-risk.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **EU AI Act**?

**Providers, deployers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives of AI systems used in the EU must comply with the EU AI Act, including third-country entities if outputs are used in the EU.** Providers develop or place high-risk systems on the market (Article 3(3)); deployers are professional users (Article 3(4)). Obligations span the value chain, with high-risk duties on providers (Article 16) and deployers performing fundamental rights impact assessments (Article 27).

Does **EU AI Act** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**High-risk AI systems require conformity assessment, which may involve third-party notified bodies and certification for certain Annex III uses, but internal assessment suffices where harmonized standards apply.** Article 43 mandates assessments (Annex VI internal or VII third-party); notified bodies issue certificates (Article 44), enabling CE marking (Article 48) and EU database registration (Article 49).

How often should an assessment for **EU AI Act** be performed?

**Conformity assessments for high-risk AI must be performed before placing on the market or into service, with continuous post-market monitoring and reassessment upon substantial modifications.** Article 61 requires updates for changes; post-market plans (Article 72) and serious incident reporting (Article 73) ensure ongoing compliance throughout the lifecycle.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **EU AI Act**?

**Non-compliance with the EU AI Act incurs tiered administrative fines up to 7% of worldwide annual turnover or €40 million for prohibited practices, 4% or €20 million for other violations like data governance failures.** Article 99 outlines penalties; market bans, product recalls, and personal liability apply via national authorities (Article 70) and AI Office oversight (Article 64).

Can **EU AI Act** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, EU AI Act requirements such as risk management (Article 9) and cybersecurity (Article 15) can align with frameworks like ISO 42001 for AI management and ISO 27001 for information security, enabling presumption of conformity via harmonized standards (Article 40).** GPAI codes of practice (Article 56) support integration, though sector-specific mapping requires analysis.

What is the first step to begin implementing **EU AI Act**?

**The first step is to conduct an AI inventory and risk classification to identify prohibited practices (Article 5), high-risk systems (Article 6, Annexes I/III), GPAI models, and entity roles.** Document assessments to confirm scope, prioritizing cessation of bans and preparation for phased timelines (prohibitions from February 2025).

SQF vs EU AI Act

Standards Comparison

SQF

Voluntary

2023

GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification across supply chain

EU AI Act

Mandatory

2024

EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance

Quick Verdict

SQF provides GFSI-recognized food safety certification for global supply chains, ensuring HACCP-based controls and market access. EU AI Act mandates risk-based AI regulation for EU markets, requiring conformity assessments to protect rights and safety.

Agile Scaling

SQF

SQF Food Safety Code Edition 9

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Modular structure pairing Module 2 with sector GMPs
Mandatory HACCP-based Food Safety Plan validation
GFSI-benchmarked for global retailer acceptance
Full-time onsite SQF Practitioner requirement
Annual audits with scoring and unannounced options

Artificial Intelligence

EU AI Act

Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act

Cost

€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Risk-based four-tier AI classification framework
Prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices outright
High-risk conformity assessments and CE marking
GPAI model transparency and systemic risk duties
Post-market monitoring and incident reporting

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 program administered by SQFI. It provides a HACCP-based management system for food safety across supply chains, from farm to fork, using modular architecture with universal Module 2 system elements and sector-specific Good Practices.

Key Components

**Module 2Management commitment, HACCP Food Safety Plan, verification, traceability, food defense, allergens, training.
Sector modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
Built on Codex/NACMCF HACCP principles; mandatory elements like SQF Practitioner.
Third-party audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades), nonconformities, annual certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer mandates, reduces audit duplication.
Enhances risk management, recall readiness, supplier controls.
Builds food safety culture, GFSI recognition for market access.
Lowers recalls, improves efficiency, stakeholder trust.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification audit.
Applies to manufacturing, storage, all sizes; 6-12 months typical.
Requires SQF Practitioner, records proving "say-do-prove" triad.

EU AI Act Details

What It Is

The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is a comprehensive, horizontal EU regulation for artificial intelligence. It establishes a risk-based framework prohibiting unacceptable-risk practices, regulating high-risk systems via lifecycle controls, transparency for limited-risk AI, and minimal rules for others. Applicable extraterritorially to EU outputs.

Key Components

**Four risk tiersprohibitions (Article 5), high-risk requirements (Articles 9-15: risk management, data governance, documentation, oversight, cybersecurity), GPAI obligations (Chapter V), transparency duties.
Conformity assessments, CE marking, EU database registration.
Hybrid enforcement: AI Office, national authorities; fines up to 7% global turnover.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory compliance for EU-market AI to avoid penalties/market exclusion.
Enables safe innovation, builds stakeholder trust, ensures product quality/resilience.
Strategic advantages: market access, competitive differentiation in high-impact sectors like employment, biometrics.

Implementation Overview

Phased (6-36 months): AI inventory/classification, build QMS/RMS, conformity audits, post-market monitoring. Cross-functional, suits all org sizes; integrates with GDPR/product safety.

Key Differences

Aspect	SQF	EU AI Act
Scope	Food safety management across supply chain	AI systems risk-based regulation lifecycle
Industry	Food manufacturing, storage, global retailers	All sectors using AI, EU market focus
Nature	Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification	Mandatory EU regulation with fines
Testing	Annual third-party audits, unannounced checks	Conformity assessments, notified bodies
Penalties	Certification loss, no legal fines	Up to 7% global turnover fines

Scope

SQF

Food safety management across supply chain

EU AI Act

AI systems risk-based regulation lifecycle

Industry

SQF

Food manufacturing, storage, global retailers

EU AI Act

All sectors using AI, EU market focus

Nature

SQF

Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification

EU AI Act

Mandatory EU regulation with fines

Testing

SQF

Annual third-party audits, unannounced checks

EU AI Act

Conformity assessments, notified bodies

Penalties

SQF

Certification loss, no legal fines

EU AI Act

Up to 7% global turnover fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SQF and EU AI Act

SQF FAQ

EU AI Act FAQ

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SQF

EU AI Act

Quick Verdict

SQF

Key Features

EU AI Act

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

SQF Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

EU AI Act Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

SQF FAQ

What is the primary objective of SQF?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with SQF?

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

How often should an assessment for SQF be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with SQF?

Can SQF be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing SQF?

EU AI Act FAQ

What is the primary objective of EU AI Act?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with EU AI Act?

Does EU AI Act require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for EU AI Act be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with EU AI Act?

Can EU AI Act be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing EU AI Act?

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Proving CIS Controls v8.1 Works: A KPI & Evidence Framework for Board Reporting, Audits, and Continuous Assurance

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Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST 800-171 vs BRC

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UAE PDPL vs NIST 800-53