Standards Comparison

    LGPD

    Mandatory
    2020

    Brazil's comprehensive law for personal data protection

    VS

    EPA

    Mandatory
    1970

    U.S. federal regulations for environmental protection standards

    Quick Verdict

    LGPD mandates personal data protection for Brazilian residents with rights and DPIAs, while EPA enforces environmental standards via permits and monitoring. Companies adopt LGPD for privacy compliance and market access, EPA to avoid pollution fines and operational shutdowns.

    Data Privacy

    LGPD

    Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (Law 13.709/2018)

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

    Key Features

    • Extraterritorial scope targeting Brazilian residents' data processing
    • 10 core principles including prevention and non-discrimination
    • Fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue (R$50M cap)
    • Mandatory Data Protection Officer for controllers
    • SCCs mandatory for cross-border transfers by 2025
    Environmental Protection

    EPA

    U.S. EPA Environmental Standards (40 CFR)

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

    Key Features

    • Family of CAA, CWA, RCRA regulations
    • Technology-based and health-based standards
    • NPDES and Title V permitting systems
    • Evidence-driven monitoring and reporting
    • Federal-state enforcement partnerships

    Detailed Analysis

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

    LGPD Details

    What It Is

    Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (LGPD), Brazil's Law No. 13.709/2018, is a comprehensive data protection regulation akin to GDPR. It governs personal data processing with extraterritorial scope, applying to any data of Brazilian residents. Primary purpose: safeguard privacy rights via risk-based obligations on controllers and processors.

    Key Components

    • **10 core principlespurpose limitation, necessity, transparency, security, prevention, non-discrimination, accountability.
    • **Data subject rightsaccess, correction, deletion, portability, objection to automated decisions.
    • **Legal bases10 options including consent, legitimate interests, contracts.
    • EnforcementANPD** imposes graduated sanctions; mandatory DPO, DPIAs for high-risk, RoPAs.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Legal compliance avoids fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue (R$50M cap). Enhances trust, enables market access in Brazil's digital economy, reduces breach risks amid cyber threats. Builds competitive edge via privacy-by-design.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: governance/DPO appointment, data mapping/RoPA, policies, technical controls, training, audits. Applies to all sizes/industries processing Brazilian data; no certification but ANPD audits enforced since 2021.

    EPA Details

    What It Is

    EPA standards are a family of legally binding federal regulations codified in 40 CFR, implementing major U.S. environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Their primary purpose is protecting human health and the environment through emission limits, discharge controls, and waste management. The approach combines technology-based performance standards with health-based ambient criteria in a multi-layered system.

    Key Components

    • Ambient standards (NAAQS) and technology-based limits (MACT, effluent guidelines).
    • Permitting mechanisms (NPDES, Title V).
    • Monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting (e.g., DMRs, 40 CFR Part 136 methods).
    • RCRA hazardous waste controls (Subparts AA/BB/CC). Built on statutory authority with federal-state implementation; compliance via permits, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid civil/criminal penalties, ensure operational continuity, and manage risks. Benefits include defensible data governance, ESG alignment, cost savings from efficiencies, and stakeholder trust.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, regulatory mapping, controls design, training, digital monitoring integration. Applies to U.S. facilities in manufacturing, energy, waste sectors; ongoing audits via ECHO/ICIS.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    LGPD
    Personal data processing and protection
    EPA
    Environmental pollution control and standards

    Industry

    LGPD
    All sectors, Brazil residents, extraterritorial
    EPA
    Energy, manufacturing, waste, US-wide

    Nature

    LGPD
    Mandatory data protection law, ANPD enforcement
    EPA
    Mandatory environmental regulations, EPA enforcement

    Testing

    LGPD
    DPIAs for high-risk, DPO oversight, audits
    EPA
    Monitoring, sampling, QA/QC, inspections

    Penalties

    LGPD
    2% Brazilian revenue, max R$50M per violation
    EPA
    Civil fines, injunctions, criminal liability

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about LGPD and EPA

    LGPD FAQ

    EPA FAQ

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