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), enabling GFSI-benchmarked certification for over 14,000 sites in 40+ countries.

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 food sector categories (FSCs) including manufacturing (Module 2 + 11), storage/distribution, packaging, and primary production; sites must designate a full-time, on-site SQF Practitioner with HACCP competency employed by the facility.

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

Yes, SQF mandates third-party certification by SQFI-licensed Certification Bodies accredited to ISO/IEC 17065. Annual audits (initial, surveillance, recertification) by impartial auditors include scored nonconformities (E: 96–100, G: 86–95, C: 70–85, F: <70); critical (50 points), major (10 points), minor (1 point) issues require CAPA closure, with unannounced audits every 3 years and auditor rotation limits.

How often should an assessment for SQF be performed?

SQF requires annual external certification audits with internal audits conducted regularly to support verification. Management review occurs at least annually (with monthly SQF Practitioner updates); perform gap assessments 60–90 days pre-certification and 30–60 days post-implementation, plus ongoing verification (2.5.2) and validation (2.5.1) of HACCP controls and PRPs.

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. Graded nonconformities trigger CAPA deadlines (often 30 days); critical violations (e.g., uncontrolled hazards) lead to immediate suspension, potential regulatory reporting, lost market access, and increased buyer audits/recalls.

An SQF be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, SQF maps to other GFSI-benchmarked frameworks through shared HACCP principles, management systems, and preventive controls. Its Module 2 elements (document control, CAPA, internal audits) align with common structures, enabling layering of SQF Quality Code atop existing GFSI programs while maintaining equivalence for global retailer acceptance.

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 competent, full-time SQF Practitioner. Select applicable modules (e.g., Module 2 + sector GMP), conduct a gap assessment against Edition 9 (effective May 2021), and develop the signed Food Safety Policy (2.1.1) committing to HACCP-based controls.

What is the primary objective of ISO 28000?

ISO 28000 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a security management system (SMS) for supply chain security. The 2022 edition provides a risk-based framework to identify, assess, and treat security risks across supply chains, protecting people, assets, goods, infrastructure, and information through PDCA cycles, leadership commitment, operational controls, performance evaluation, and continual improvement.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ISO 28000?

No organizations are legally required to comply with ISO 28000, as it is a voluntary international standard. Professionally, it applies to any organization managing supply chain security, including logistics, transportation, manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, energy, ports, freight forwarders, and 3PL/4PL providers of all sizes, driven by contractual obligations, customs programs, tenders, insurance demands, or risk reduction needs.

Does ISO 28000 require an external audit or third-party certification?

ISO 28000 does not require external audit or third-party certification, but supports conformity verification through internal or external audits. Certification by accredited bodies follows ISO 28003 requirements, involving Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (implementation audit), with 3-year validity and annual surveillance audits for sustained assurance.

How often should an assessment for ISO 28000 be performed?

Security risk assessments under ISO 28000 must be performed initially, maintained ongoing, and reviewed at planned intervals or when significant changes occur. Internal audits occur per a risk-based program at planned intervals; management reviews happen at planned intervals (typically annually); risk reassessments are triggered annually, post-incident, or by supply chain changes like new suppliers or threats.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ISO 28000?

Non-compliance with ISO 28000 results in no direct legal penalties, as it is voluntary. Indirect consequences include supply chain disruptions from theft, sabotage, or fraud; financial losses from incidents, higher insurance premiums, contract penalties, or lost tenders; reputational damage; and exclusion from customs facilitation programs or procurement requiring security credentials.

An ISO 28000 be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, ISO 28000:2022 aligns with the High Level Structure (HLS), enabling mapping and integration with other ISO management system standards. Its PDCA cycle, risk-based approach (aligned to ISO 31000), and clauses 4-10 support combined audits and shared processes with standards like ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 22301 (continuity), and ISO/IEC 27001 (information security).

What is the first step to begin implementing ISO 28000?

The first step to implement ISO 28000 is securing executive sponsorship and conducting a gap analysis against its requirements. Appoint a Senior Responsible Owner, define SMS scope (organizational boundaries, supply chains), map current processes, assess gaps in context, leadership, planning, and controls, and produce a prioritized risk register and project charter.

Standards Comparison

SQF vs ISO 28000

SQF

Voluntary

2023

GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification for supply chain

ISO 28000

Voluntary

2022

International standard for supply chain security management systems

Quick Verdict

SQF ensures food safety via HACCP and GMPs for food supply chains, while ISO 28000 builds security management systems against threats and disruptions. Food companies adopt SQF for GFSI recognition and market access; others use ISO 28000 for resilient supply chains.

Agile Scaling

SQF

Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code Edition 9

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Modular architecture pairing Module 2 with sector GMPs
HACCP-based food safety plan with validation
GFSI-benchmarked for global retailer recognition
Requires full-time onsite SQF Practitioner
Mandates senior management commitment and reviews

Supply Chain Security

ISO 28000

ISO 28000:2022 Security management systems — Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Risk-based supply chain security management
PDCA cycle for continual improvement
Supplier interdependency and third-party controls
Integration with ISO 27001 and 22301
Certification and external assurance pathways

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 framework for food safety and quality management. It applies across the supply chain from farm to fork, using a HACCP-based, risk-oriented approach with modular structure.

Key Components

**Module 2Universal system elements including management commitment, HACCP plans, verification, traceability, food defense, allergens, training.
Sector-specific modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).
Built on Codex HACCP principles; over 20 mandatory elements.
Third-party audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades) and certification by licensed bodies.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets retailer/brand requirements as 'license to trade'.
Reduces recalls, audit duplication, enhances resilience.
Builds food safety culture via leadership accountability.
Aligns with FSMA/EU regs for due diligence.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification.
Designate SQF Practitioner; 'say-do-prove' triad.
Suits all sizes/industries; 6-12 months typical; annual surveillance audits.

ISO 28000 Details

What It Is

ISO 28000:2022 is an international management system standard defining requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a security management system (SMS) for supply chain security. It provides a risk-based framework using the PDCA cycle to protect people, assets, and operations across supply chains.

Key Components

Clauses 4-10: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement
Structured risk assessment and treatment (Clause 8.3, aligned with ISO 31000)
Core principles: proportionality, systems thinking, continual improvement
Aligned with ISO High Level Structure for integration; supports third-party certification via accredited bodies (ISO 28003)

Why Organizations Use It

Addresses risks like theft, sabotage, disruptions for resilience
Meets contractual, regulatory drivers (e.g., C-TPAT equivalents)
Reduces incidents, insurance costs; enables trade facilitation
Provides competitive advantage in procurement, builds stakeholder trust

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: scoping, gap analysis, risk strategy, deployment, audits
Scalable for all sizes/industries (logistics, manufacturing, pharma)
6-36 months; internal audits, management reviews, optional certification

Key Differences

Aspect	SQF	ISO 28000
Scope	Food safety, HACCP, GMPs, quality across supply chain	Supply chain security risks, resilience, management system
Industry	Food manufacturing, storage, distribution, global	Logistics, manufacturing, retail, any supply chain sector
Nature	GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard	Voluntary ISO management system standard
Testing	Annual third-party audits, unannounced, scoring system	Internal audits, management review, optional certification audits
Penalties	Certification loss, market access denial	No legal penalties, certification withdrawal possible

Scope

SQF

Food safety, HACCP, GMPs, quality across supply chain

ISO 28000

Supply chain security risks, resilience, management system

Industry

SQF

Food manufacturing, storage, distribution, global

ISO 28000

Logistics, manufacturing, retail, any supply chain sector

Nature

SQF

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard

ISO 28000

Voluntary ISO management system standard

Testing

SQF

Annual third-party audits, unannounced, scoring system

ISO 28000

Internal audits, management review, optional certification audits

Penalties

SQF

Certification loss, market access denial

ISO 28000

No legal penalties, certification withdrawal possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SQF and ISO 28000

SQF FAQ

ISO 28000 FAQ

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See how SQF and ISO 28000 compare against other standards

Other SQF Comparisons

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Key Components

**Module 2Universal system elements including management commitment, HACCP plans, verification, traceability, food defense, allergens, training.

Sector-specific modules (e.g., Module 11 GMPs for manufacturing).

Built on Codex HACCP principles; over 20 mandatory elements.

Third-party audits with scoring (E/G/C/F grades) and certification by licensed bodies.

What It Is

Key Components

Clauses 4-10: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement

Structured risk assessment and treatment (Clause 8.3, aligned with ISO 31000)

Core principles: proportionality, systems thinking, continual improvement

Aligned with ISO High Level Structure for integration; supports third-party certification via accredited bodies (ISO 28003)

Aspect

SQF

ISO 28000

Scope

Food safety, HACCP, GMPs, quality across supply chain

Supply chain security risks, resilience, management system

Industry

Food manufacturing, storage, distribution, global

Logistics, manufacturing, retail, any supply chain sector

Nature

GFSI-benchmarked voluntary certification standard

Voluntary ISO management system standard

Testing

Annual third-party audits, unannounced, scoring system

Internal audits, management review, optional certification audits

Penalties

Certification loss, market access denial

No legal penalties, certification withdrawal possible