Standards Comparison

    CCPA

    Mandatory
    2020

    California regulation granting consumers rights over personal data

    VS

    ISO 37301

    Voluntary
    2021

    Certifiable international standard for compliance management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    CCPA mandates consumer privacy rights for California businesses handling resident data, with fines up to $7,500 per violation. ISO 37301 offers voluntary certification for comprehensive compliance systems across all sectors. Companies adopt CCPA for legal compliance, ISO 37301 for governance and trust.

    Data Privacy

    CCPA

    California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by CPRA

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Grants rights to know, delete, correct, limit personal data
    • Requires opt-out of sales/sharing via GPC and links
    • Applies to businesses over $25M revenue or 100K consumers
    • Mandates notices at collection and comprehensive privacy policies
    • Imposes fines up to $7,500 per intentional violation
    Compliance Management

    ISO 37301

    ISO 37301:2021 Compliance management systems

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Certifiable CMS requirements replacing guidance-only ISO 19600
    • HLS-aligned for integration with ISO 9001, 14001, 27001
    • Risk-based planning with obligation registers and controls
    • Leadership commitment and compliance culture emphasis
    • Whistleblowing channels with anti-retaliation protections

    Detailed Analysis

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

    CCPA Details

    What It Is

    The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), is a state regulation establishing consumer privacy rights for California residents. It targets for-profit businesses meeting thresholds like $25M revenue or handling data of 100K+ consumers. Primary purpose: empower consumers with control over personal information (PI) via rights-based approach including know, delete, opt-out, correct, and limit sensitive PI use.

    Key Components

    • Core consumer rights: access (know), delete, opt-out sales/sharing, correct inaccuracies, limit sensitive data.
    • Obligations: notices at collection, privacy policies, DSAR handling within 45 days, vendor contracts, GPC honoring.
    • Enforcement by CPPA and Attorney General with $2,500-$7,500 fines per violation; private breach actions.
    • Built on broad PI definitions (identifiers, inferences, households) and risk-based security.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for qualifying businesses to avoid fines, litigation, reputational harm. Drives data governance efficiency, trust-building, market differentiation, GDPR alignment. Mitigates breach risks via security mandates.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: scoping/gap analysis (0-3 months), policies/contracts (1-4 months), technical controls (2-6 months), operationalization/audits (ongoing). Applies globally to CA data handlers; cross-functional teams, automation tools essential. No certification, but audits demonstrate reasonableness. (178 words)

    ISO 37301 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37301:2021, officially "Compliance management systems – Requirements with guidance for use," is a certifiable international standard for Compliance Management Systems (CMS). It provides auditable requirements to establish, implement, maintain, and improve CMS, replacing guidance-only ISO 19600. Applicable to all organization sizes/sectors, it employs a risk-based approach, PDCA cycle, and High-Level Structure (HLS) for integration.

    Key Components

    • Leadership, policy, roles, and compliance culture
    • Context analysis, obligation identification, risk assessment, objectives/planning
    • Resources, competence (per ISO 37303), awareness, communication/whistleblowing
    • Operations, controls, third-party management
    • Performance evaluation (KPIs, audits, reviews per ISO 37302), improvement Supports certification; ~40 pages of requirements/guidance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces noncompliance risks, fines, reputational harm
    • Builds stakeholder trust, investor confidence, ESG/SDG alignment (e.g., climate via 2024 Amd)
    • Enables integrated management systems, efficiency
    • Demonstrates governance amid regulatory complexity

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, obligation register, controls/training, audits. Scalable for SMEs/enterprises globally; certification via accredited bodies (e.g., ANAB), 3-year cycles with surveillance.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CCPA
    Consumer privacy rights and data obligations
    ISO 37301
    All compliance obligations and management systems

    Industry

    CCPA
    All for-profit businesses meeting CA thresholds
    ISO 37301
    All organizations, sizes, sectors worldwide

    Nature

    CCPA
    Mandatory state law with fines
    ISO 37301
    Voluntary certifiable international standard

    Testing

    CCPA
    No formal audits; operational compliance
    ISO 37301
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification

    Penalties

    CCPA
    $2,500-$7,500 per violation, private actions
    ISO 37301
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CCPA and ISO 37301

    CCPA FAQ

    ISO 37301 FAQ

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