UAE PDPL
UAE federal law for personal data protection onshore
ISO 14064
International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, and verification
Quick Verdict
UAE PDPL mandates privacy protection for onshore UAE personal data processing with rights and breach rules, while ISO 14064 voluntarily standardizes global GHG emissions inventories and verification. Companies adopt PDPL for UAE compliance; ISO 14064 for credible climate reporting.
UAE PDPL
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021
Key Features
- Mandates DPO and DPIAs for high-risk processing
- Extraterritorial scope targeting foreign processors of UAE data
- Requires Records of Processing Activities for all entities
- Excludes free zones, government, health, and banking data
- Risk-based security aligned to international best practices
ISO 14064
ISO 14064: Greenhouse gases
Key Features
- Three-part framework for inventories, projects, verification
- Five principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
- Organizational/operational boundaries and Scope 1-3 classification
- Baseline scenarios and additionality for projects
- Risk-based validation/verification with assurance levels
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
UAE PDPL Details
What It Is
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data is UAE's comprehensive federal regulation governing personal data processing onshore. Effective 2 January 2022, it adopts a risk-based approach with GDPR-like principles for controllers and processors.
Key Components
- Core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, security, storage limitation, accountability.
- Obligations: Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) mandatory for all; DPO and DPIAs for high-risk activities like sensitive data profiling.
- Data subject rights: access, portability, correction, erasure, objection.
- Breach notification to UAE Data Office; cross-border transfer safeguards.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for onshore private sector; reduces breach risks, builds trust, enables digital economy compliance. Aligns with global norms for multinationals; excludes free zones/health/banking.
Implementation Overview
Phased: discovery/gap analysis, RoPA/DPIA build, operationalize rights/breach response, continuous monitoring. Applies to UAE-established or targeting entities; no certification but regulator audits expected. (178 words)
ISO 14064 Details
What It Is
ISO 14064 is an international standard family (ISO 14064-1:2018, -2:2019, -3:2019) providing specifications and guidance for quantifying, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It offers a modular framework for organizational inventories (Part 1), project-level reductions (Part 2), and validation/verification (Part 3), emphasizing a principles-based approach.
Key Components
- Three interdependent parts covering inventories, projects, and assurance.
- Five core principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy.
- Requirements for boundaries, data quality, uncertainty management.
- No formal certification; relies on third-party verification under Part 3.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enables credible reporting for regulations (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investors, and carbon markets.
- Drives operational improvements, risk mitigation, and stakeholder trust.
- Supports decarbonization strategies and competitive differentiation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased approach: governance, boundary setting, data collection, verification.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; mid-to-large firms with complex Scope 3 needs.
- Involves cross-functional teams, software tools, and optional ISO 14065-accredited assurance. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | UAE PDPL | ISO 14064 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data processing, privacy rights, security | GHG emissions quantification, reporting, verification |
| Industry | Onshore UAE private sector, excludes free zones/health/banking | All industries/organizations worldwide, voluntary |
| Nature | Mandatory federal law with administrative penalties | Voluntary international standard family for GHG accounting |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, records of processing, breach notification | Third-party validation/verification of GHG inventories/projects |
| Penalties | Administrative fines, criminal liabilities via other laws | No legal penalties, loss of verification credibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UAE PDPL and ISO 14064
UAE PDPL FAQ
ISO 14064 FAQ
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