What It Is

PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act), notably Singapore's 2012 Act and variants in Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, is a family of principles-based regulations governing personal data collection, use, disclosure by organizations. Primary purpose: protect individuals' data while enabling reasonable business processing. Scope covers private sector organizations handling identifiable data; employs risk-based, operational approach with consent, exceptions, accountability.

Key Components

• Core obligations: notification, consent (or exceptions), access/correction, accuracy, protection, retention limitation, transfer controls, breach response, accountability.
• 9-10 key obligations across regimes; built on GDPR-like principles but with local nuances like deemed consent, DPO requirements.
• Compliance via Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP); no universal certification, enforced by PDPCs.

Why Organizations Use It

• Mandatory legal compliance to avoid fines (up to SGD 1M, THB 5M).
• Risk mitigation for breaches, transfers; builds trust, enables data-driven innovation.
• Strategic advantages: market access, partnerships, efficiency via data governance.

Implementation Overview

• Phased: governance, data mapping, policies, controls, training, audits.
• Applies to all sizes in covered jurisdictions; involves DPO appointment, DPIAs, vendor contracts.
• No certification but PDPC guidance, self-assessments like PATO; ongoing via DPMP.

What It Is

ISO 26000:2010 is the international guidance standard on social responsibility (SR). It provides non-certifiable framework for organizations to integrate SR into operations. Scope covers all organization types, sizes, and locations, using a holistic, stakeholder-driven approach focused on impacts, risks, and sustainable development.

Key Components

• Seven **core subjectsorganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement.
• Seven **principlesaccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholders, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
• Built on multi-stakeholder consensus; no requirements, thus voluntary adoption without certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Enhances credibility, manages risks, aligns with SDGs/OECD/GRI. Builds stakeholder trust, improves resilience, unlocks market access, supports ESG reporting. Addresses regulatory pressures like human rights due diligence.

Implementation Overview

Phased: assess materiality, engage stakeholders, integrate into governance/management systems (e.g., ISO 14001), train staff, report transparently. Applicable universally; self-assessment via KPIs, no audits required.