PIPL
China's comprehensive law for personal information protection
AS9120B
Aerospace QMS standard for distributors ensuring traceability and counterfeit prevention.
Quick Verdict
PIPL mandates privacy protection for personal data in China with extraterritorial reach and hefty fines, while AS9120B is a voluntary QMS certification for aerospace distributors ensuring traceability and counterfeit prevention. Companies adopt PIPL for legal compliance, AS9120B for market access.
PIPL
Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL)
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope for foreign entities targeting China
- Consent-first model without legitimate interests basis
- Volume-threshold cross-border transfer mechanisms
- Explicit consent required for sensitive personal information
- Penalties up to 5% of annual revenue
AS9120B
AS9120B: Quality Management Systems for Distributors
Key Features
- Prevents counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts
- Ensures traceability for split lots and chain-of-custody
- Strengthens external provider controls and flowdown
- Implements configuration management for distribution
- Risk-based planning addressing distribution hazards
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, effective November 1. It governs collection, processing, storage, transfer, and deletion of personal information with extraterritorial reach. Modeled partly on GDPR, it uses a risk-based approach emphasizing consent, minimization, and security.
Key Components
- Eight chapters, 74 articles covering processing rules, cross-border transfers, individual rights.
- Core principles: lawfulness, necessity, minimization, transparency, accountability.
- Sensitive personal information (SPI) like biometrics, health data requires explicit consent.
- Compliance via data inventories, PIPIAs, appointed PIPOs for large handlers; no formal certification but CAC security reviews.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for entities handling Chinese residents' data; fines up to 5% revenue or RMB 50M.
- Mitigates operational disruptions, enables market access, builds trust.
- Enhances resilience, supports cross-border business via SCCs.
Implementation Overview
Phased framework: gap analysis, policies, controls, monitoring (6-12 months). Applies to all sizes, industries touching China; prioritizes multinationals, platforms.
AS9120B Details
What It Is
AS9120B is the SAE International standard for quality management systems (QMS) tailored to aviation, space, and defense distributors. It augments ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, focusing on risk-based thinking to address distribution risks like traceability loss and counterfeit parts. Its scope covers organizations procuring, storing, splitting, and reselling parts without altering characteristics.
Key Components
- Core pillars: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations, performance evaluation, improvement.
- Distribution emphases: counterfeit prevention, traceability, configuration management, external provider controls.
- Built on ISO 9001:2015 PDCA cycle; requires documented information, not a full manual.
- Certification via accredited bodies, listed in IAQG OASIS.
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to OEMs/Tier-1s, reduces supply chain risks, builds customer trust. Though voluntary, often contractually required; enhances efficiency, prevents nonconformities.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months). Applies to distributors globally; involves cross-functional teams, IT for traceability.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PIPL | AS9120B |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal information processing, privacy rights, cross-border transfers | Aerospace distribution QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention |
| Industry | All sectors handling Chinese personal data, global extraterritorial | Aerospace parts distributors, aviation/space/defense supply chains |
| Nature | Mandatory national law, CAC enforcement, extraterritorial regulation | Voluntary certification standard, IAQG QMS based on ISO 9001 |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, CAC security reviews, compliance audits | Internal audits, management reviews, third-party certification audits |
| Penalties | Fines up to 5% revenue or RMB 50M, business suspension | Loss of certification, market exclusion, no direct legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PIPL and AS9120B
PIPL FAQ
AS9120B FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Top 10 Reasons CMMC Level 3 Certification Unlocks Competitive Edge for Primes Handling Critical DoD Programs
Discover top 10 reasons CMMC Level 3 certification unlocks competitive edge for DoD primes. Reduced APT risks, procurement prefs, NIST 800-172 compliance via v2

DORA Third-Party Risk Management: A Consultant’s Guide to Mapping Critical ICT Service Providers in 2026
Navigate DORA's complex third-party risk pillar. Step-by-step consultant guide to identify critical ICT providers, remediate Article 30 contracts, and build the

TISAX Tabletop Exercises for ADAS Suppliers: Simulating Prototype IP Leaks and Ransomware in Hybrid Supply Chains (2025 Edition with Hero Scenario Visual)
Master TISAX 'Very High' tabletop exercises for ADAS suppliers with 2024 breach simulations like CAD leaks and ransomware. Get scripts, AAR templates, hybrid ti
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
ISO 50001 vs IFS Food
Discover ISO 50001 vs IFS Food: Compare energy management excellence with food safety standards. Boost compliance, cut costs, drive efficiency. Find your perfect fit now!
FISMA vs IATF 16949
Discover FISMA vs IATF 16949: Federal cybersecurity law (NIST RMF) meets automotive QMS standard. Compare risk frameworks, compliance strategies, core tools & benefits for agencies/suppliers. Boost resilience now.
ENERGY STAR vs LEED
Compare ENERGY STAR vs LEED: EPA's efficiency benchmark (75+ score, 35% energy savings) vs USGBC's holistic credits for buildings. Key diffs, benefits—choose wisely!