Standards Comparison

    POPIA

    Mandatory
    2013

    South Africa’s comprehensive personal information protection regulation

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    EU harmonized standard for steel and aluminium structures execution

    Quick Verdict

    POPIA enforces data privacy across South African organizations via eight processing conditions and Regulator oversight, while EN 1090 mandates CE marking for EU structural steel/aluminium through FPC certification. Companies adopt POPIA for compliance and trust; EN 1090 for market access.

    Data Privacy

    POPIA

    Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Protects juristic persons as data subjects
    • Mandates eight conditions for lawful processing
    • Requires Information Officer appointment
    • Enforces continuous security risk cycle
    • Prior authorization for high-risk processing
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based Execution Classes (EXC1-4)
    • Factory Production Control (FPC) certification
    • CE marking and Declaration of Performance
    • Welding management via ISO 3834
    • Material traceability and NDT requirements

    Detailed Analysis

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

    POPIA Details

    What It Is

    Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013) (POPIA) is South Africa’s comprehensive privacy regulation. It establishes minimum enforceable requirements for processing personal information of natural and juristic persons via eight conditions for lawful processing, overseen by the Information Regulator. Adopts a risk-based, accountability-driven approach.

    Key Components

    • **Eight conditionsAccountability, processing limitation, purpose specification, further processing limitation, information quality, openness, security safeguards, data subject participation.
    • **Data subject rightsAccess, correction, objection, breach notification.
    • **GovernanceMandatory Information Officer, operator contracts.
    • No formal certification; compliance via Regulator enforcement, fines up to ZAR 10 million.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for all processing personal information in South Africa; reduces regulatory fines, criminal penalties, civil claims. Enhances trust, data hygiene, security posture; enables market access, B2B differentiation.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, data mapping, policies, controls, training. Applies universally—no thresholds; suits all sizes/industries. Requires audits, DPIAs; ongoing Regulator engagement.

    EN 1090 Details

    What It Is

    EN 1090 is the harmonized European standard family (EN 1090-1, -2, -3) for execution and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components and kits. It implements EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) requirements, enabling CE marking. The risk-based methodology employs Execution Classes (EXC1-4), linking consequence, service, and production categories to scaled controls for welding, inspection, and traceability.

    Key Components

    • **EN 1090-1FPC certification, AVCP, DoP, Notified Body oversight.
    • **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for materials, welding (ISO 3834), tolerances, corrosion protection, NDT.
    • Core principles: traceability, qualified personnel, process controls.
    • Certification via initial audits, ongoing surveillance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for EEA market access with CE marking.
    • Mitigates liability, ensures safety.
    • Drives quality, reduces rework, enhances competitiveness.
    • Builds stakeholder trust through certified capability.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: gap analysis, FPC build, training, NB certification (3-12 months). Targets fabricators in construction; requires welding coordinators, digital traceability.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    POPIA
    Personal information processing conditions
    EN 1090
    Structural steel/aluminium execution & conformity

    Industry

    POPIA
    All sectors in South Africa
    EN 1090
    Construction/metal fabrication in EU/EEA

    Nature

    POPIA
    Mandatory national privacy statute
    EN 1090
    Harmonized standard for CE marking

    Testing

    POPIA
    Security measures & DPIAs
    EN 1090
    FPC certification & surveillance audits

    Penalties

    POPIA
    ZAR 10M fines & imprisonment
    EN 1090
    Market exclusion & certificate suspension

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about POPIA and EN 1090

    POPIA FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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