GDPR Compliance: complete guide, articles and resources

What is the GDPR Compliance standard?

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is the EU regulation (EU) 2016/679 applicable since 25 May 2018. It defines the legal framework for processing personal data of EU residents, regardless of where the organisation processing them is based.

GDPR is built on fundamental principles: lawfulness, fairness, and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity and confidentiality, and accountability. It establishes individual rights (information, access, rectification, erasure, objection, portability, restriction).

GDPR applies extraterritorially: any US, UK, Canadian, or other non-EU company processing data of EU residents must comply. The ISO/IEC 27701 standard (privacy extension to ISO 27001) provides an auditable framework for demonstrating GDPR compliance. GDPR has also inspired similar laws (CCPA in California, LGPD in Brazil, PIPEDA in Canada).

Who is GDPR Compliance for?

GDPR applies to any organisation processing personal data of EU residents: companies, non-profits, government agencies, sole proprietors, public bodies — regardless of location. The regulation distinguishes between the data controller (who decides on purposes) and the data processor (who processes on behalf of the controller).

Why get certified?

GDPR compliance is mandatory with fines reaching 4% of global annual turnover or €20M (whichever is higher). Beyond compliance, it builds customer and partner trust, conditions market access (B2B contracts, public tenders), reduces breach and litigation risk, and structures data governance.