The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive privacy protection law that applies to all European Union countries. It has provided a framework for privacy protection that has led to increased transparency and accountability by organizations handling personal data. The GDPR has been effective since 2018, and since then, it has required all EU countries to develop certification mechanisms that demonstrate compliance with the law's requirements.
Verse 42 of the GDPR states that countries in the Union can develop certification mechanisms that demonstrate compliance with the law's requirements. Until recently, there were no such official and approved mechanisms. However, the National Data Protection Authority of Luxembourg (CNPD) has now adopted a certification mechanism called GDPR-CARPA, making it the first such mechanism adopted at the national and international level under the GDPR.
This mechanism provides companies, public authorities, associations, and other organizations established in Luxembourg with the possibility to demonstrate that their data processing activities comply with the GDPR. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which is responsible for guiding and synchronizing the implementation of privacy protection in Europe, has approved the certification process. This approval is expected to expand the certification to other countries as well.
The GDPR-CARPA certification is not universal and is granted only for specific collection and processing operations. The certification criteria are based on the ISAE 3000 Type 2 report, which allows for the provision of an opinion on the correct implementation of the control mechanism, with the auditor's formal responsibility. The certification also complies with ISCQ1 (quality control of audit organizations) and ISO 17065 (licensing of certification bodies).
While the certification process builds trust in the processing of covered personal data, the EDPB clarified that the certification is not sufficient as a basis for approving the transfer of information outside the borders of Europe. However, the certification mechanism is a significant step forward in providing clear guidelines and a standard for compliance with GDPR regulations. It is hoped that this will lead to increased trust and confidence in data processing and handling by organizations across the European Union
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