What is the primary objective of TISAX?

TISAX standardizes information security assessments and enables secure exchange of results across the automotive supply chain. Developed by the ENX Association using the VDA ISA catalog version 5.0.4 (updated to 6.0 in 2023), it verifies protection of sensitive data like IP, prototypes, and personal information against cyber threats. Assessments occur at three levels—Basic (AL1 self-assessment), Significant (AL2 remote check), Very High (AL3 on-site audit)—tailored to data sensitivity determined by OEMs.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with TISAX?

TISAX is a contractual requirement mandated by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for automotive ecosystem participants handling sensitive data. Affected entities include Tier 1/2 suppliers, OEMs (e.g., Volkswagen, BMW), service providers (logistics, IT/cloud), and R&D contractors processing IP, prototypes, or ADAS software. Non-compliance excludes organizations from contracts; SMEs to multinationals must register on the ENX portal.

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

Yes, TISAX mandates external audits by ENX-accredited providers (e.g., DQS, TÜV) for Significant (AL2) and Very High (AL3) levels. AL1 is self-assessment only (no label issued). AL2 involves remote plausibility checks with evidence review; AL3 requires on-site inspections, interviews, and facility tours. Results yield a TISAX Label valid for 3 years, uploaded to the ENX portal for sharing.

How often should an assessment for TISAX be performed?

TISAX assessments must be fully repeated every 3 years to renew the Label. No annual surveillance audits are required, unlike some standards. Organizations conduct internal audits, management reviews, and tabletop exercises quarterly/annually for sustainment. Reassess earlier for scope changes, new OEM contracts, or VDA ISA updates.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with TISAX?

Non-compliance results in contractual termination, lost revenue, and exclusion from OEM portals. OEMs impose penalties up to 5% of contract value (€10-50M for mid-tier suppliers), plus €20K-€100K re-audit costs. Reputational damage from breaches cascades supply chain disruptions; no TISAX Label blocks market access in the €2.5T automotive sector.

Can TISAX be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, TISAX maps extensively to ISO 27001/27002 via the VDA ISA catalog's 70+ controls across 7 groups (Policy, Access, Operations, etc.). It shares ISMS foundations (CIA triad, PDCA), enabling 20-30% efficiency in integrated audits. Automotive-specific extensions (e.g., prototype protection) complement but do not replace broader frameworks.

What is the first step to begin implementing TISAX?

Register on the ENX portal (portal.enx.com) and define the Assessment Scope and Leadership Profile (ASLP). Classify protection needs (Normal/High/Very High) with OEMs, download VDA ISA Excel for gap analysis, and score maturity (0-3+). Assemble cross-functional team (CISO, IT, Legal) for initial roadmap.

What is the primary objective of BRC?

The primary objective of BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is to ensure organizations produce safe, legal, and authentic food products meeting customer quality requirements through a structured management system. This encompasses senior management commitment, a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan, and prerequisite programs like GMP/GHP to control contamination, allergens, fraud, and operational risks. Issue 9 structures requirements across nine clauses, from governance to traded products, enabling third-party certification recognized by global retailers.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with BRC?

No organization is legally required to comply with BRC, but it is professionally mandated for food manufacturers supplying major retailers and GFSI-benchmarked supply chains. It applies to sites manufacturing, processing, or packing processed foods, ingredients, primary products like fruit/vegetables, and domestic pet foods under direct management control. Retailers like Tesco and Walmart require certification for supplier approval, affecting tens of thousands of sites worldwide.

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

Yes, BRC requires external audits by accredited certification bodies for third-party certification. Audits are site-specific, available as announced or unannounced, evaluating compliance across nine clauses with grading (AA/A/B/C/D, "+" for unannounced). Certificates are issued annually post-corrective actions, with fundamental clause failures risking non-certification or withdrawal.

How often should an assessment for BRC be performed?

BRC requires annual third-party certification audits, supplemented by scheduled internal audits at least four times yearly. Internal audits must cover all clauses risk-based, with full annual scope; seasonal sites audit pre-startup. Management reviews occur annually, with quarterly objective reporting and monthly food safety meetings to verify ongoing compliance.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with BRC?

Non-compliance with BRC results in graded audit outcomes, potential certification denial or withdrawal, and commercial delisting by retailers. Critical/major non-conformities in fundamental clauses (e.g., HACCP, traceability) require root cause analysis and corrective actions within strict timeframes; repeated failures lead to increased audit frequency, loss of GFSI recognition, and exclusion from supply chains.

An BRC be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, BRC can be mapped to other GFSI-benchmarked frameworks, providing a foundation for regulatory alignment like US FSMA Preventive Controls. Its HACCP, PRP, and governance structure often exceeds or matches requirements, though adaptations for terminology (e.g., PCQI designation) are needed; comparative analyses rate it comparable or superior in detail for hazard controls and verification.

What is the first step to begin implementing BRC?

The first step to implement BRC is securing senior management commitment via a signed food safety policy and defining audit scope. Assemble a multidisciplinary team, conduct a gap analysis against Issue 9 clauses using BRC tools like the Get Started Assessment, and prioritize fundamental requirements like HACCP and site standards for phased remediation.

Standards Comparison

TISAX vs BRC

TISAX

Mandatory

2017

Automotive framework for standardized information security assessments and exchange

BRC

Voluntary

2022

Global standard for food safety in manufacturing

Quick Verdict

TISAX ensures information security for automotive suppliers via standardized assessments, while BRC mandates food safety management for manufacturers through HACCP and audits. Companies adopt TISAX for OEM contracts; BRC for retailer access and GFSI compliance.

Cybersecurity

TISAX

Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Enables sharing one assessment across multiple OEMs via ENX portal
Tailored prototype protection controls for automotive IP and assets
Three risk-based assessment levels matching protection needs
Maturity evaluation of 70+ VDA ISA controls on 0-5 scale
Three-year labels without annual surveillance audits

Food Safety

BRC

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Codex HACCP-based food safety plan
Senior management commitment and culture
Fundamental requirements for certification
Environmental monitoring and risk zoning
Unannounced audits with grading system

Detailed Analysis

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

TISAX Details

What It Is

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a certification framework by ENX Association, based on VDA ISA catalog. It standardizes security assessments for automotive supply chains, protecting IP, prototypes, and data via CIA triad extensions. Uses risk-based methodology with three levels: AL1 (self), AL2 (remote), AL3 (on-site).

Key Components

70+ controls in 7 groups: Policy, Access, Operations, etc.
Modules: Information Security, Prototype Protection, Data Protection
Maturity scale 0-5 (level 3+ required)
Builds on ISO 27001; ENX portal exchanges results
3-year labels post-audit

Why Organizations Use It

OEM contractual mandates (e.g., BMW, VW)
Cuts duplicate audits 70-90%, saves costs
Mitigates breaches, enables market access
Builds supply chain trust, boosts revenue
ESG/resilience advantages

Implementation Overview

Phased: scope/gap analysis, control remediation/tabletops, accredited audit (DQS/TÜV), monitoring. Suits OEMs/suppliers/services globally; scalable for SMEs/enterprises via self-assess to full audits.

BRC Details

What It Is

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It assures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality via a structured system integrating senior management commitment, Codex HACCP-based plans, and GMP prerequisites. Scope includes processed foods, ingredients, primary products, and pet foods under site control.

Key Components

Nine core clauses: senior management, food safety plan, FSQMS, site standards, product control, process control, personnel, production risk zones, traded products.
Fundamental requirements (e.g., HACCP, traceability, allergens, internal audits).
Risk-based hazard analysis including fraud, defence.
Graded certification (AA/A/B/C/D) via annual audits, announced/unannounced.

Why Organizations Use It

Retailer mandates for supply chain access.
Reduces recalls, contamination risks.
Demonstrates due diligence, builds trust.
Drives efficiencies, continuous improvement.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, documentation, training, mock audits.
6-12 months typical for mid-maturity sites.
Global applicability for food manufacturers.
Accredited body certification required.

Key Differences

Aspect	TISAX	BRC
Scope	Information security, prototype protection	Food safety, quality, HACCP plans
Industry	Automotive supply chain, global	Food manufacturing, packaging, global
Nature	Voluntary certification, industry-driven	Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification
Testing	AL1-3 assessments, 3-year validity	Annual on-site audits, grading system
Penalties	Contract loss, no legal fines	Certification withdrawal, market exclusion

Scope

TISAX

Information security, prototype protection

BRC

Food safety, quality, HACCP plans

Industry

TISAX

Automotive supply chain, global

BRC

Food manufacturing, packaging, global

Nature

TISAX

Voluntary certification, industry-driven

BRC

Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification

Testing

TISAX

AL1-3 assessments, 3-year validity

BRC

Annual on-site audits, grading system

Penalties

TISAX

Contract loss, no legal fines

BRC

Certification withdrawal, market exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about TISAX and BRC

TISAX FAQ

BRC FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

Nine core clauses: senior management, food safety plan, FSQMS, site standards, product control, process control, personnel, production risk zones, traded products.

Fundamental requirements (e.g., HACCP, traceability, allergens, internal audits).

Risk-based hazard analysis including fraud, defence.

Graded certification (AA/A/B/C/D) via annual audits, announced/unannounced.

Aspect

TISAX

BRC

Scope

Information security, prototype protection

Food safety, quality, HACCP plans

Industry

Automotive supply chain, global

Food manufacturing, packaging, global

Nature

Voluntary certification, industry-driven

Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification

Testing

AL1-3 assessments, 3-year validity

Annual on-site audits, grading system

Penalties

Contract loss, no legal fines

Certification withdrawal, market exclusion