What is a GDPR certificate?
A GDPR certificate is formal proof that an organization meets the requirements of the GDPR legislation. This quality mark shows that your organization is committed to data protection and processes personal data carefully in accordance with applicable standards.
There is currently no accredited GDPR certification in the Netherlands and therefore no officially approved certificate. But our GDPR Certification Standard and Criteria BC 5701:2023 has been submitted to the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) for accreditation. This represents a future opportunity for obtaining an official GDPR certification!
Approval Dutch DPA and EDPB
The first steps of the approval process have already been completed. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) have given their approval to our BC 5701 standard.
The AP is the supervisor in the Netherlands for compliance with the GDPR legislation. The AP is responsible for approving GDPR standards.
The EDPB ensures consistent application and enforcement of data protection laws in the European Economic Area (EEA).
AP approval
GDPR Certification Standard and Criteria BC 5701:2023 (NL)- EDPB approval
GDPR Certification Standard and Criteria BC 5701:2024 (EN)
AP approvalGDPR certification and the accreditation process
Accreditation plays an important role in ensuring the reliability of certification bodies. Only accredited institutions may issue official GDPR certificates. During the accreditation process, strict controls are carried out to ensure the quality and credibility of the certifications. With accreditation, a certificate has commercial value.
The accreditation process for GDPR certification consists of the following steps:
- Submission of the GDPR standard to the AP;
- Assessment and approval of the standard by the AP;
- Control and accreditation of the certification scheme by the RvA;
- Issuing certifications by the accredited certification body to organizations that meet the GDPR standard.
Who is the GDPR certificate intended for?
The GDPR certificate is relevant for all organizations that process personal data, such as:
- Companies that manage personal data of customers, employees or suppliers;
- IT service providers and software suppliers who work with personal data;
- Healthcare institutions and financial service providers where privacy-sensitive data play a major role;
- Government agencies and non-profit organizations that collect and process personal data.
The benefits of GDPR certification
A certification offers numerous benefits for your organization:
- Trust and credibility: Customers and partners know you take data protection seriously.
- Competitive advantage: A GDPR certificate shows that you meet the requirements in the field of privacy and security.
- Efficiency and risk management: You reduce the risk of data leaks and fines.
- Legal certainty: A certification helps demonstrate that you comply with GDPR legislation during inspections by supervisors.
In short, obtaining a GDPR certificate can be an important added value for your organization and strengthen your competitive position.
What are the costs of a GDPR certification?
The cost of a certification can vary depending on several factors. Consider the size and complexity of your organization. In general, costs for preparatory activities, such as internal audits, trainings and any adjustments to processes and systems, must be taken into account.
In addition, there are the costs for the actual certification audit and the annual maintenance costs to maintain the certification. This investment often outweighs the benefits, such as avoiding fines, increasing customer confidence and gaining a competitive advantage in the market.
Brand Compliance is happy to help you estimate the costs that apply specifically to your organization.
