PDPA
Singapore regulation for personal data protection
ISO 14064
International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, and verification.
Quick Verdict
PDPA mandates privacy protection in Asia via consent, rights, breaches; ISO 14064 enables voluntary GHG accounting worldwide through inventories, projects, verification. Companies adopt PDPA for legal compliance, ISO 14064 for credible sustainability reporting and decarbonization strategy.
PDPA
Personal Data Protection Act 2012
Key Features
- Mandatory Data Protection Officer appointment
- Deemed consent with notification mechanisms
- 72-hour data breach notification regime
- Cross-border transfer limitation obligation
- Do Not Call Registry for marketing
ISO 14064
ISO 14064: GHG quantification and reporting standards
Key Features
- Three-part framework for inventories, projects, verification
- Five principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
- Scope 1-3 emissions boundaries and quantification
- Risk-based validation and assurance processes
- Supports GHG Protocol alignment and market compliance
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PDPA Details
What It Is
Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) is Singapore's principal legislation governing collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal data by organizations. It adopts a principles-based, risk-proportionate approach balancing individual privacy rights with legitimate business needs, administered by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC).
Key Components
- Nine core **obligationsconsent, notification, access/correction, accuracy, protection, retention limitation, transfer limitation, accountability, breach notification.
- Mandatory DPO appointment and Do Not Call Registry.
- Built on reasonableness and proportionality principles; no fixed control count but requires Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP).
- Compliance via self-assessment, PDPC guidance, enforcement up to SGD 1 million fines.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal compliance to avoid fines, enforcement.
- Enhances trust, enables secure data use for innovation.
- Manages breach risks, supports cross-border operations.
- Builds competitive advantage through privacy-by-design.
Implementation Overview
- **Phased approachgovernance, data mapping, policies, controls, training, audits.
- Applies to all Singapore organizations handling personal data; scalable by size.
- No formal certification but DPMP documentation and PDPC tools like PATO for audits. (178 words)
ISO 14064 Details
What It Is
ISO 14064 is an international standard family (ISO 14064-1:2018, -2:2019, -3:2019) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It provides specifications and guidance for quantifying, reporting, and verifying GHG information at organizational and project levels using a principle-based approach emphasizing transparency and accuracy.
Key Components
- Three parts: Part 1 (organizational inventories), Part 2 (project reductions/removals), Part 3 (validation/verification).
- **Five core principlesrelevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy.
- Scopes 1-3 classification, boundary setting, uncertainty management.
- Voluntary third-party assurance model aligned with ISO 14065.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives regulatory compliance (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investor trust, and decarbonization strategy. Mitigates greenwashing risks, enables carbon markets, and reveals efficiency opportunities for competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: governance, boundary design, data systems, reporting, verification. Applies to all sizes/industries globally; 6-12 months typical for mid-sized firms with optional certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PDPA | ISO 14064 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy | GHG emissions quantification and reporting |
| Industry | All sectors in Singapore/Thailand/Taiwan | All industries worldwide, heavy emitters prioritized |
| Nature | Mandatory national privacy laws | Voluntary international standards family |
| Testing | No formal certification, regulator audits | Third-party validation/verification audits |
| Penalties | Fines up to SGD1M/THB5M, criminal sanctions | No legal penalties, loss of credibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PDPA and ISO 14064
PDPA FAQ
ISO 14064 FAQ
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