PIPL
China's comprehensive regulation for personal information protection
BREEAM
Global sustainability certification for built environment performance
Quick Verdict
PIPL mandates privacy protection for personal data in China with extraterritorial reach and hefty fines, while BREEAM voluntarily certifies sustainable buildings for ESG value. Companies adopt PIPL for legal compliance and market access; BREEAM for premium rents and green credentials.
PIPL
Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL)
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope targeting Chinese individuals
- Explicit separate consent for sensitive information
- Tiered cross-border transfer mechanisms with reviews
- Fines up to 5% annual global revenue
- Mandatory impact assessments for high-risk processing
BREEAM
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Key Features
- Credit-based weighted scoring across 10 categories
- Third-party BRE Global certification and audits
- Lifecycle schemes for new, existing, infrastructure
- Evidence-driven with KBCNs for compliance updates
- Emphasis on whole-life carbon and resilience
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PIPL Details
What It Is
PIPL (Personal Information Protection Law) is China's first comprehensive national regulation on personal information, effective November 1, 2021, with 74 articles across eight chapters. It governs collection, use, storage, transfer, disclosure, and deletion of personal data, applying extraterritorially to foreign entities targeting Chinese individuals. Adopts a risk-based, consent-centric approach modeled partly on GDPR but emphasizes national security and data localization.
Key Components
- Core principles: lawfulness, necessity, minimization, transparency, accountability.
- Processing rules, individual rights (access, deletion, portability), sensitive personal information (SPI) protections.
- Cross-border mechanisms: security assessments, SCCs, certifications.
- No formal certification; compliance via governance, audits, impact assessments.
Why Organizations Use It
- Avoids fines up to RMB 50M or 5% revenue; enables China market access.
- Builds trust, reduces breach risks, supports resilient operations.
- Strategic for MNCs in e-commerce, fintech, handling Chinese data.
Implementation Overview
Phased framework: gap analysis, data mapping, policies, controls, monitoring. Applies to all processors of Chinese PI; high complexity for globals. Ongoing audits, no certification but CAC reviews for transfers. (178 words)
BREEAM Details
What It Is
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a science-led sustainability certification framework for the built environment. It assesses environmental, social, and resilience performance across buildings, infrastructure, and communities throughout their lifecycle. The credit-based, weighted scoring methodology converts performance into ratings from Pass to Outstanding.
Key Components
- **10 core categoriesManagement, Health & Wellbeing, Energy, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land Use & Ecology, Pollution, Innovation.
- Hundreds of credits with evidence requirements.
- Scheme-specific manuals (e.g., New Construction, In-Use) and Knowledge Base Compliance Notes (KBCNs).
- Third-party certification via licensed assessors and BRE Global audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Drives operational savings (e.g., 22-33% energy reduction), asset value uplift, and ESG alignment.
- Meets planning incentives, investor demands, and EU Taxonomy.
- Mitigates risks in carbon, resilience, and compliance.
- Enhances market differentiation and tenant appeal.
Implementation Overview
- Phased integration from pre-design to post-occupancy.
- Appoint assessor early, gather evidence, submit for QA.
- Applies globally to all sizes/types; voluntary but strategic.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PIPL | BREEAM |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal information processing, privacy rights, cross-border transfers | Building sustainability, energy, health, ecology, lifecycle performance |
| Industry | All sectors handling Chinese personal data, global extraterritorial | Construction, real estate, infrastructure worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory national law with CAC enforcement | Voluntary third-party certification scheme |
| Testing | DPIAs, security reviews, CAC audits for high-risk processing | Licensed assessor audits, BRE quality assurance, evidence verification |
| Penalties | Fines up to 5% revenue, business suspension, criminal liability | No legal penalties, loss of certification only |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PIPL and BREEAM
PIPL FAQ
BREEAM FAQ
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