GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy
ISO 14064
International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, and verification
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates personal data protection for EU residents globally with hefty fines, while ISO 14064 provides voluntary GHG accounting standards. Companies adopt GDPR for legal compliance; ISO 14064 for credible emissions reporting and sustainability credibility.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU entities targeting EU residents
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance through records and DPIAs
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for serious violations
- 72-hour mandatory breach notification to supervisory authorities
- Enhanced data subject rights including erasure and portability
ISO 14064
ISO 14064 GHG quantification and reporting standards
Key Features
- Three-part modular structure for inventories, projects, assurance
- Five core principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
- Detailed organizational and operational boundary setting
- Scopes 1-3 emissions classification and quantification
- Risk-based validation/verification with materiality assessment
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or Regulation (EU) 2016/679, is a directly applicable EU regulation protecting personal data of EU residents. It modernizes privacy laws with extraterritorial scope, applying globally to processors targeting EU subjects. Adopts a principles-based, accountability-focused approach emphasizing lawful processing and risk management.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Data subject rights: access, rectification, erasure ("right to be forgotten"), portability, objection.
- Obligations like DPIAs, DPO appointment, 72-hour breach notifications.
- Enforcement via national DPAs with fines up to €20M or 4% global turnover; no formal certification but compliance demonstration required.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU data handling to avoid severe penalties.
- Enhances risk management, builds trust, supports Digital Single Market.
- Provides competitive edge as global "gold standard", influences worldwide laws like LGPD, CCPA.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, policy updates, staff training, tech safeguards (encryption, pseudonymization).
- Applies universally to organizations processing EU data, regardless of size/location.
- Ongoing: records of processing, audits by DPAs, continuous monitoring.
ISO 14064 Details
What It Is
ISO 14064 is an international standard family (ISO 14064-1:2018, -2:2019, -3:2019) providing specifications with guidance for GHG emissions quantification, reporting, and assurance. It is a voluntary framework focused on organizational inventories (Part 1), project-level reductions/removals (Part 2), and validation/verification (Part 3), using a principle-based approach emphasizing relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy.
Key Components
- **Three interdependent partsOrganizational GHG inventories, project accounting, and assurance processes.
- **Core principlesFive unifying principles mirroring GHG Protocol.
- Scopes 1-3 classification, boundary setting, uncertainty management.
- **Compliance modelSelf-declaration with optional third-party verification under ISO 14064-3; no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets regulatory demands (e.g., CSRD, SB-253) and investor ESG requirements.
- Enhances credibility for carbon markets, green finance, and supply chains.
- Drives operational efficiencies and risk mitigation against greenwashing.
Implementation Overview
- **Phased approachGovernance, boundary design, data systems, verification, continuous improvement.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; mid-large organizations typical.
- Involves training, software, and ISO 14065-accredited verifiers. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | ISO 14064 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data privacy and protection | GHG emissions quantification and reporting |
| Industry | All sectors processing EU data globally | All organizations with GHG footprints worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Voluntary international standard family |
| Testing | DPIAs, audits by DPAs | Independent validation/verification audits |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | No legal penalties, loss of credibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and ISO 14064
GDPR FAQ
ISO 14064 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

The DORA 'Hot Seat' Blueprint: Preparing Leadership and the Management Body for Regulatory Interviews
Prepare your Board & Management Body for DORA audits. Master the human element: demonstrate active oversight & accountability in regulatory interviews. Get the

PDPA Cross-Border Transfer Rules Decoded: Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan Mechanisms Compared with Practical Implementation Templates
Decode PDPA cross-border transfers for Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan. Statutory excerpts, approved mechanisms, SCC templates. Harmonize with GDPR, navigate exempt

CMMC Level 3 Implementation Guide: Integrating NIST SP 800-172 Enhanced Controls for APT Defense
Step-by-step CMMC Level 3 guide for DIB contractors. Implement 24 NIST SP 800-172 controls on Level 2. Prep for DIBCAC, C3PAO scoping & 180-day POA&Ms. Boost cy
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
PIPL vs Basel III
Explore PIPL vs Basel III: China's data privacy powerhouse meets global banking standards. Master compliance strategies, risks, and phased implementation for resilient success.
AEO vs IATF 16949
Compare AEO vs IATF 16949: Customs security certification meets automotive QMS standards. Uncover differences, benefits, compliance & strategies for supply chain mastery. Optimize now!
SOX vs ISO/IEC 42001:2023
Compare SOX vs ISO/IEC 42001:2023—SOX ensures financial integrity via ICFR audits; ISO 42001 governs ethical AI risks. Uncover differences, benefits & strategies for compliance. Read now!