GDPR Certification Goes Global
Major Change in International Data Transfers:
GDPR Certification Goes Global with Europrivacy
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has taken two major decisions that will facilitate international data transfers while enhancing personal data protection. It approved the extension of Europrivacy — the European Data Protection Seal under the GDPR — to be used in non-European countries, and endorsed a specific version of Europrivacy criteria as a mechanism for international data transfers under Article 46 GDPR.
GDPR Certification Goes Global
The EDPB has released two new opinions that impact international data transfers. The first authorises the use of Europrivacy certification outside of Europe. Europrivacy was already approved to serve as European Data Protection Seal under Article 42 GDPR for companies established in EU and EEA countries.
This decision now enables companies subject to the GDPR for processing of personal data worldwide to benefit from this mechanism to demonstrate GDPR compliance of their data processing activities.
A New Mechanism for International Data Transfers
In its second decision, the EDPB approved a specific version of the Europrivacy certification criteria. These criteria may be used, in accordance with Article 46 of the GDPR, as part of the appropriate safeguards for international data transfers.
This marks an important step in the operationalisation of certification mechanisms in the context of cross-border data flows. In practice, it will support companies acting as data importers outside the EEA in demonstrating compliance with GDPR requirements, provided that binding and enforceable commitments are in place. This development strengthens legal certainty and promotes trust in international data transfers.
Impact on Data Transfers
International data transfers are subject to an increasing number of obligations and restrictions aimed at protecting personal data. The GDPR makes 73 references to certification. By leveraging independent third-party assessment and regular audits, GDPR certification facilitates compliance and data transfers.
According to early adopters of this mechanism in Europe, it enabled them to:
- Check and demonstrate compliance
- Reduce risks and enhance trust
- Simplify compliance and save associated costs
- Value compliance as a competitive advantage
- Facilitate data transfers
Moreover, Europrivacy enables companies to:
- Extend compliance assessment to non-EU jurisdictions
- Access online resources to support compliance and certification
- Benefit from a global ecosystem of service providers
Towards International Data Protection Certification
By making the GDPR mechanism accessible to other countries, the EDPB is addressing a growing need to offer a reliable mechanism to demonstrate data protection compliance across borders.
Last year, Interprivacy, the international data protection certification scheme, has been approved by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to be used worldwide.
Testimonials
This development reflects a broader shift towards more innovative and operational compliance tools under the GDPR. Certification has the potential to play a key role in supporting trusted international data flows, provided that it is implemented with strong safeguards and effective oversight.
EDPB decision is a major paradigm shift enabling the most important GDPR mechanism for demonstrating data protection compliance to become global. It is great news for the data subjects, with a reinforced protection, and for the industry with less risks, simplified data transfers, and reduced associated costs.
EDPB Opinions
- EDPB Opinion 14/2026: edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2026-04/edpb_opinion_202614_europrivacy_en.pdf
- EDPB Opinion 15/2026: edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2026-04/edpb_opinion_202615_europrivacy_en.pdf