GDPR
EU regulation for protecting personal data privacy rights
ISO 30301
International standard for management systems for records
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates personal data protection for EU residents globally with severe fines, while ISO 30301 provides voluntary records management certification. Companies adopt GDPR for legal compliance, ISO 30301 for governance, efficiency, and audit-ready evidence.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU organizations targeting EU residents
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance measures
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for violations
- Data subject rights include erasure and portability
- 72-hour mandatory breach notification to authorities
ISO 30301
ISO 30301:2019 Management systems for records requirements
Key Features
- High-Level Structure alignment for MSS integration
- Normative Annex A for operational records controls
- Explicit records requirements analysis (Clause 4.1.2)
- Flexible conformity pathways including certification
- Risk-based planning and lifecycle management
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) is a directly applicable EU regulation modernizing data protection. Its primary purpose is safeguarding personal data of EU individuals with global extraterritorial scope. It employs a principles-based, accountability-driven approach emphasizing lawful processing and risk management.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Enhanced data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection).
- Obligations like DPIAs, DPO appointment, ROPA, 72-hour breach notifications.
- Enforcement via DPAs, one-stop-shop, fines up to 4% global turnover; no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for processing EU data to avoid severe penalties, ensure legal compliance. Builds stakeholder trust, manages risks from breaches, sets global gold standard inspiring laws like LGPD/CCPA. Enhances reputation, enables secure data flows.
Implementation Overview
Involves gap analysis, policy updates, training, technical measures (pseudonymization, encryption). Applies to all sizes processing EU data globally. Key activities: appoint DPO if required, conduct DPIAs, establish breach protocols. Ongoing audits by DPAs; two-year transition originally provided prep time.
ISO 30301 Details
What It Is
ISO 30301:2019 (Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Requirements) is an international certifiable standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a Management System for Records (MSR). It ensures organizations create and control reliable evidence of business activities, supporting mandate, strategy, and goals. Applicable to any organization, it follows a risk-based PDCA approach via High-Level Structure (HLS) clauses 4–10, with records-specific operations in Clause 8 and Annex A (normative).
Key Components
- **Clauses 4–10Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
- **Annex ANormative operational controls for records lifecycle (creation, capture, access, retention, disposition).
- Built on ISO 15489 principles (authenticity, reliability, integrity, usability).
- Conformity pathways: self-declaration, external confirmation, or third-party certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Drives governance, compliance, risk mitigation (e.g., legal holds, audits).
- Enhances efficiency, transparency, business continuity.
- Builds stakeholder trust; integrates with ISO 9001, 27001.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy/roles, controls/systems, audits/reviews.
- Scalable for all sizes/sectors; certification optional via accredited bodies.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | ISO 30301 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy rights | Records management systems and lifecycle controls |
| Industry | All sectors processing EU personal data globally | Any organization worldwide, all sectors |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Voluntary certifiable management system standard |
| Testing | DPA audits and investigations | Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | Loss of certification, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and ISO 30301
GDPR FAQ
ISO 30301 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
DORA Third-Party Risk Management: A Consultant’s Guide to Mapping Critical ICT Service Providers in 2026
Navigate DORA's complex third-party risk pillar. Step-by-step consultant guide to identify critical ICT providers, remediate Article 30 contracts, and build the
NIST CSF 2.0 Implementation Tiers Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guide from Partial to Adaptive Cybersecurity Maturity
Master NIST CSF 2.0 Implementation Tiers with a step-by-step roadmap. Assess your tier, build gap analyses, and advance from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier
SOC 2 Audit Survival Guide: 10 Red Flags Auditors Flag and Model Answers for Walkthroughs
Master SOC 2 Type 2 audits with our guide: 10 red flags like incomplete logs/vendor gaps, model walkthrough answers, psychology tips. Pass first-time with <5% e
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
ISO 19600 vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
ISO 19600 vs MLPS 2.0: Compare CMS guidelines for resilient compliance with China's cybersecurity scheme. Key differences, risks, strategies—optimize global ops now!
ISO 37301 vs ISO 50001
Compare ISO 37301 vs ISO 50001: Compliance Systems for risk governance & whistleblowing vs Energy Systems for EnPIs & efficiency. HLS-aligned benefits. Choose wisely!
SQF vs 23 NYCRR 500
Explore SQF vs 23 NYCRR 500: Compare GFSI food safety cert with NYDFS cybersecurity rules. Gain risk mgmt, governance & implementation insights for compliance success!