What It Is

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a global industry standard for securing payment card transactions. It provides a control-based framework with 12 requirements across 6 objectives to protect cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD) for merchants and service providers handling card payments.

Key Components

• 12 requirements in 6 objectives: secure networks, protect CHD, vulnerability management, access controls, monitoring/testing, policies.
• Over 300 sub-requirements and testing procedures.
• v4.0 introduces defined/customized approaches, roles/responsibilities.
• Compliance via SAQ (self-assessment) or ROC (QSA audit), plus ASV scans.

Why Organizations Use It

• Contractual obligation from card brands/acquirers; non-compliance risks fines, processing bans.
• Reduces breach costs, fraud; builds customer trust.
• Enhances security hygiene, vendor management.

Implementation Overview

• Assess-Repair-Report cycle: scope CDE, gap analysis, remediate, validate.
• Applies to all card-handling entities; Levels 1-4 by volume.
• 3-12 months typical; ongoing quarterly scans, annual tests. (178 words)

What It Is

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the EU's mandatory conformity marking framework for products under harmonised legislation. It signifies the manufacturer's declaration that products meet essential health, safety, environmental, and consumer protection requirements. Scope includes electrical equipment, machinery, toys, medical devices, and more. The risk-based approach uses conformity assessment modules (A-H) and harmonised standards for presumption of conformity.

Key Components

• Identification of applicable directives/regulations and essential requirements
• Conformity assessment (self-assessment or Notified Body)
• Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE mark affixing
• Post-market surveillance under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 Built on New Legislative Framework (NLF); focuses on evidence-based compliance rather than fixed controls.

Why Organizations Use It

• Enables free movement across EEA markets
• Meets legal obligations to avoid fines, withdrawals, recalls
• Mitigates product liability and enforcement risks
• Provides competitive market access and stakeholder trust via standardized compliance

Implementation Overview

Phased process: legislation mapping, risk assessment, testing/documentation, DoC issuance, marking. Applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors in EEA; Notified Body for high-risk products. Authority audits enforce; self-declaration common for low-risk.