Standards Comparison

    ISO 14064

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, and verification

    VS

    GDPR UK

    Mandatory
    2016

    UK regulation for personal data protection and privacy

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 14064 provides voluntary GHG accounting standards for global organizations seeking credible emissions reporting, while GDPR UK mandates personal data protection for UK-targeting entities with strict fines. Companies adopt ISO for climate credibility; GDPR for legal compliance.

    Greenhouse Gas Accounting

    ISO 14064

    ISO 14064: Greenhouse gases quantification and verification standards

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

    Key Features

    • Modular three-part structure for inventories, projects, verification
    • Five core principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
    • Defines Scopes 1-3 organizational boundaries and baselines
    • Risk-based validation/verification with assurance levels
    • Aligns with GHG Protocol for global compatibility
    Data Privacy

    GDPR UK

    UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

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

    Key Features

    • Seven enforceable data processing principles
    • Accountability requiring demonstrable compliance
    • Comprehensive data subject rights framework
    • Mandatory DPIAs for high-risk processing
    • 72-hour breach notification to ICO

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 14064 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 14064 is an international standard family (Parts 1-3:2018-2019) for GHG quantification, reporting, and assurance. It provides specifications and guidance for organizational inventories (Part 1), project reductions/removals (Part 2), and validation/verification (Part 3). The principle-based approach emphasizes relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy, mirroring GHG Protocol.

    Key Components

    • Three interdependent parts covering full lifecycle from measurement to assurance.
    • Five core principles guiding boundaries, data quality, uncertainty.
    • Scopes 1-3 classification, baselines, additionality, risk-based assurance levels (limited/reasonable).
    • Voluntary third-party verification model under ISO 14065.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives regulatory compliance (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), stakeholder trust, carbon markets access, and decarbonization strategy. Mitigates greenwashing risks, enables investor-grade disclosures, reveals abatement opportunities.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: governance, boundary setting, data systems, verification. Applies to all sizes/industries globally; 6-12 months typical, with software/tools accelerating. Focuses on audit-ready documentation and cross-functional roles.

    GDPR UK Details

    What It Is

    The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) is the United Kingdom's post-Brexit adaptation of the EU GDPR, a binding legal regulation alongside the Data Protection Act 2018, enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). It protects personal data of UK individuals, with extraterritorial scope for targeting organizations. It employs a risk-based, accountability-driven approach emphasizing demonstrable compliance.

    Key Components

    • Seven core principles: lawfulness, fairness/transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
    • Individual rights: access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection.
    • Controller/processor duties: records (RoPA), contracts, DPIAs, security, breach notification.
    • Principle-based; no fixed controls, ICO enforcement model with fines up to 4% global turnover.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory legal compliance to avoid fines (£17.5M max).
    • Risk mitigation for breaches, rights handling.
    • Builds stakeholder trust, operational efficiency, competitive edge in data-driven markets.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: governance, data mapping (RoPA), policies/contracts, training, DPIAs, audits. Applies universally to data processors; ongoing, no certification but ICO oversight.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 14064
    GHG emissions quantification, reporting, verification
    GDPR UK
    Personal data protection, processing principles, rights

    Industry

    ISO 14064
    All sectors worldwide, organizations and projects
    GDPR UK
    All sectors, UK-established or targeting UK individuals

    Nature

    ISO 14064
    Voluntary international standard family
    GDPR UK
    Mandatory UK regulation with fines

    Testing

    ISO 14064
    Third-party validation/verification optional
    GDPR UK
    DPIAs for high-risk, ICO audits/enforcement

    Penalties

    ISO 14064
    Loss of credibility, no legal fines
    GDPR UK
    Up to £17.5M or 4% global turnover

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 14064 and GDPR UK

    ISO 14064 FAQ

    GDPR UK FAQ

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