Standards Comparison

    PIPL

    Mandatory
    2021

    China's comprehensive law for personal information protection

    VS

    AS9110C

    Mandatory
    2016

    International standard for aviation maintenance quality management.

    Quick Verdict

    PIPL mandates data protection for China operations with heavy fines, while AS9110C certifies aerospace MRO quality voluntarily. Companies adopt PIPL for legal compliance and market access; AS9110C for contracts, safety, and supplier qualification.

    Data Privacy

    PIPL

    Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL)

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

    Key Features

    • Extraterritorial reach to processors targeting Chinese individuals
    • Explicit separate consent for sensitive personal information
    • Cross-border transfers via security reviews or SCCs
    • Fines up to 5% of annual revenue
    • Mandatory impact assessments for high-risk processing
    Quality Management

    AS9110C

    AS9110C: Quality Management Systems Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organizations

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based thinking in strategic and operational planning
    • Configuration management and product traceability
    • Counterfeit and suspect parts prevention controls
    • Human factors in root cause analysis
    • Continuing airworthiness and maintenance release requirements

    Detailed Analysis

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

    PIPL Details

    What It Is

    Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) is China's comprehensive national regulation enacted in 2021, governing collection, processing, storage, transfer, and deletion of personal information. It applies domestically and extraterritorially to organizations handling data of Chinese individuals. PIPL adopts a risk-based approach with strict consent defaults, modeled partly on GDPR but emphasizing national security and data localization.

    Key Components

    • Core principles: lawfulness, necessity, minimization, transparency, accountability.
    • Seven legal bases, prioritizing consent; no broad legitimate interests.
    • Sensitive personal information (SPI) rules, individual rights (access, deletion, portability).
    • Cross-border mechanisms: security assessments, SCCs, certification. Compliance enforced by CAC with fines up to 5% revenue.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for China-exposed firms to avoid penalties, disruptions.
    • Builds trust, enables market access, reduces breach risks.
    • Strategic advantages in operations, talent, M&A.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased framework: gap analysis, policies, controls, audits (6-12 months). Applies to all sizes, industries targeting China; requires PIPOs, representatives for foreigners. No formal certification but ongoing audits.

    AS9110C Details

    What It Is

    AS9110C (AS9110:2016 Rev C) is a certification standard for quality management systems (QMS) in aviation maintenance organizations, including repair stations and MRO providers. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with Annex SL structure, emphasizing risk-based thinking, PDCA cycle, and aviation-specific controls for continuing airworthiness.

    Key Components

    • Core clauses 4–10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Aviation additions: configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, preservation.
    • No fixed control count; focuses on documented information and process approach.
    • Voluntary certification via IAQG OASIS database.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets customer/OEM contracts and regulatory alignment (FAA/EASA Part 145).
    • Mitigates safety risks, ensures traceability, boosts on-time delivery.
    • Enhances market access, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency.
    • Builds stakeholder trust through auditable evidence.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits, certification (6-12 months typical).
    • Applies to MROs of all sizes globally; requires internal audits, management review before Stage 2 audit.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    PIPL
    Personal data protection, processing, transfers
    AS9110C
    Aerospace MRO quality management, airworthiness

    Industry

    PIPL
    All sectors handling Chinese data, extraterritorial
    AS9110C
    Aviation maintenance organizations worldwide

    Nature

    PIPL
    Mandatory national law, CAC enforcement
    AS9110C
    Voluntary certification standard, IAQG

    Testing

    PIPL
    DPIAs, security reviews, compliance audits
    AS9110C
    Internal audits, certification audits, surveillance

    Penalties

    PIPL
    Fines to 5% revenue, business suspension
    AS9110C
    Loss of certification, contract ineligibility

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about PIPL and AS9110C

    PIPL FAQ

    AS9110C FAQ

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