Standards Comparison

    HIPAA

    Mandatory
    1996

    US federal regulation safeguarding health information privacy security

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    EU standard for steel/aluminium structural execution and CE marking

    Quick Verdict

    HIPAA safeguards US health data privacy/security via rules and OCR enforcement, while EN 1090 mandates EU structural steel/aluminium execution for CE marking via FPC certification. Organizations adopt HIPAA for compliance and patient trust; EN 1090 for market access and liability control.

    Healthcare Data Privacy

    HIPAA

    Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based flexible safeguards for electronic PHI
    • Minimum necessary limits on PHI uses disclosures
    • Presumption-of-breach with four-factor risk assessment
    • Direct liability extends to business associates
    • Strong individual rights to access amend PHI
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based Execution Classes EXC1-4
    • Factory Production Control FPC certification
    • CE marking and Declaration of Performance
    • Welding management via ISO 3834
    • Material traceability and NDT inspection

    Detailed Analysis

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

    HIPAA Details

    What It Is

    HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is a US federal regulation establishing national standards via Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. It protects individuals' protected health information (PHI) using a risk-based, flexible, scalable approach balancing privacy with care coordination.

    Key Components

    • Seven pillars: applicability, privacy controls, security safeguards (administrative/physical/technical), breach notification, patient rights, business associate governance, enforcement.
    • Required/addressable specifications; minimum necessary principle; CIA triad (confidentiality/integrity/availability).
    • OCR-driven compliance model with audits, settlements, tiered penalties.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for covered entities (providers/plans/clearinghouses) and business associates.
    • Avoids multimillion penalties, builds patient trust, enhances cyber resilience.
    • Enables secure data flows, vendor management, market differentiation.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: risk analysis/assessment, safeguard deployment (policies/training/BAAs), continuous monitoring.
    • Applies US-wide to healthcare; documentation retained 6 years; no formal certification but OCR audits.

    EN 1090 Details

    What It Is

    EN 1090 is the European harmonized standards family (EN 1090-1, -2, -3) governing execution and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components/kits for construction. It implements CPR requirements for CE marking, employing a risk-based scaling via Execution Classes (EXC1–EXC4) linked to consequence, service, and production categories.

    Key Components

    • **EN 1090-1Conformity assessment, Factory Production Control (FPC) certification, Declaration of Performance (DoP).
    • **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for materials, welding (ISO 3834), tolerances, corrosion protection, NDT inspection.
    • Risk-tiered controls: traceability, personnel qualification, ongoing Notified Body surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for EU/EEA market access with CE marking.
    • Mitigates liability, ensures quality/traceability, enables high-risk projects.
    • Drives operational maturity, client trust, competitive bidding.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, FPC development, welding qualification, NB certification (6-12 months). Targets fabricators; requires audits, training for construction sector.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    HIPAA
    Privacy/security of health information (PHI/ePHI)
    EN 1090
    Execution/conformity of steel/aluminium structures

    Industry

    HIPAA
    Healthcare (US covered entities/business associates)
    EN 1090
    Construction/metal fabrication (EU/EEA market)

    Nature

    HIPAA
    US federal regulations with OCR enforcement
    EN 1090
    EU harmonized standard for CE marking (mandatory)

    Testing

    HIPAA
    Risk analysis, audits, breach assessments (internal/external)
    EN 1090
    FPC certification, NB audits, ITT/ITC (notified bodies)

    Penalties

    HIPAA
    Civil/criminal fines up to $2M+, OCR settlements
    EN 1090
    Market exclusion, certificate suspension, legal liability

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about HIPAA and EN 1090

    HIPAA FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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