UAE PDPL
UAE federal law for onshore personal data protection
IFS Food
International standard for food safety and quality manufacturing
Quick Verdict
UAE PDPL mandates personal data protection for UAE onshore businesses, ensuring privacy compliance and subject rights. IFS Food certifies food manufacturers' processes for safety and quality. Companies adopt PDPL for legal compliance, IFS for retailer access and trust.
UAE PDPL
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data
Key Features
- Risk-based DPO and DPIA for high-risk processing
- Mandatory Records of Processing Activities for all
- Extraterritorial scope targeting UAE residents
- Exemptions for free zones and sectoral regimes
- Pre-processing transparency and cross-border safeguards
IFS Food
IFS Food Version 8
Key Features
- Product and Process Approach (PPA) with traceability tests
- Minimum 50% on-site production area evaluation
- Risk-based HACCP and operational prerequisite programs
- Knock-Out requirements for critical controls like traceability
- Annual audits with unannounced Star status option
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
UAE PDPL Details
What It Is
UAE PDPL (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data) is a comprehensive federal regulation establishing the first economy-wide framework for personal data processing in onshore UAE. Effective from 2 January 2022, it adopts a risk-based approach with principles like fairness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, security, and accountability, overseen by the UAE Data Office.
Key Components
- Core processing controls (Articles 5-8)
- Data subject rights (access, portability, erasure; Articles 13-19)
- Controller/processor obligations including mandatory RoPA, DPO for high-risk, DPIAs (Articles 7-12, 21)
- Security measures, breach notification (Article 9, 20)
- Cross-border transfers (Articles 22-23) Built on GDPR-like principles; no certification but enforcement via penalties.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for onshore private sector; reduces breach risks, builds trust, aligns with global norms. Enhances cybersecurity maturity, enables secure data flows, supports digital economy growth.
Implementation Overview
Phased: discovery/gap analysis, remediation (RoPA, DPIAs, security), operationalization (DPO, rights workflows), monitoring. Applies to controllers/processors handling UAE data; audits via Data Office requests.
IFS Food Details
What It Is
IFS Food Version 8 is the International Featured Standards Food, a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for auditing food manufacturers. It ensures safe, legal, authentic products compliant with customer specifications, using a risk-based Product and Process Approach (PPA) emphasizing on-site verification and traceability.
Key Components
- Organized into governance, HACCP/PRPs, operational controls, performance monitoring (Sections 1-5)
- Hundreds of checklist requirements with 10 Knock-Out (KO) criteria
- Built on HACCP principles, integrating food fraud/defense, allergen management
- Annual audits, scoring (Higher Level ≥95%, Foundation ≥75%), unannounced options
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets retailer mandates, reduces duplicate audits
- Enhances food safety culture, risk mitigation (fraud, defense)
- Provides market access, operational efficiency, stakeholder trust
- Drives continuous improvement, competitive differentiation
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, FSMS development, training, internal audits
- Applies to food processors/packers globally, site-specific
- Involves accredited certification bodies, PPA audits, corrective actions
Key Differences
| Aspect | UAE PDPL | IFS Food |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data processing, rights, transfers | Food manufacturing processes, safety, quality |
| Industry | All onshore private sectors, UAE-focused | Food manufacturers/processors, global retailers |
| Nature | Mandatory federal law, regulator enforcement | Voluntary GFSI certification standard |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, records of processing | Annual on-site audits, traceability tests |
| Penalties | Administrative fines, criminal liabilities | Certification withdrawal, no legal fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UAE PDPL and IFS Food
UAE PDPL FAQ
IFS Food FAQ
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