Ensuring Data Protection Across Borders: Indo-German Cooperation on Certification

Experts from Germany and India discussed in an expert exchange the future cooperation on data protection certification on 29 May 2019 in New Delhi. Dr. Ilona Pawlowska from the German National Accreditation Body (DAkkS) gave a video presentation on the status of data protection certification in Germany. Participants included representatives from the Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and companies.

New digital business models and increasingly interconnected companies lead to a growing amount of data flowing between Germany and India. How to protect data is therefore of concern for companies and regulators in both countries.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union imposes high fines for companies violating it. Companies have the option to get certified to demonstrate compliance and thereby reduce their regulatory risks. In India, a draft Personal Data Protection Bill is expected to be submitted to the Parliament in the coming months.

The experts from Germany and India agreed to explore a joint accreditation for data protection certification so that certificates would be applicable in both the Indian and German market. This means that a company’s data protection certificate from a certification body accredited by DAkkS could also be used in the Indian market as it is also recognised by NABCB – and vice versa. This reduces costs for certification and improves information to consumers.

The event was organised by GIZ – the German Agency for International Cooperation – under the framework of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Indian Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD).

The Working Group has the goal to reduce technical barriers to trade and strengthen product safety through political dialogue of relevant ministries and regulators. As part of the Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI), GIZ has been commissioned by BMWi to support the Working Group in India.