As last captured

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (UK GDPR) ·

Article 42 Certification

Art. 42 · in force: yes

Captured statutory text (L5)

Article 42 Certification

(1)The Commission shall encourage ... the establishment of data protection certification mechanisms and of data protection seals and marks, for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with this Regulation of processing operations by controllers and processors. The specific needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises shall be taken into account.
(2)In addition to adherence by controllers or processors subject to this Regulation, data protection certification mechanisms, seals or marks approved pursuant to paragraph 5 of this Article may be established for the purpose of demonstrating the existence of ... safeguards provided by controllers or processors that are not subject to this Regulation pursuant to Article 3 within the framework of personal data transfers to third countries or international organisations under the terms referred to in point (f) of Article 46(2). Such controllers or processors shall make binding and enforceable commitments, via contractual or other legally binding instruments, to apply those ... safeguards, including with regard to the rights of data subjects.
(3)The certification shall be voluntary and available via a process that is transparent.
(4)A certification pursuant to this Article does not reduce the responsibility of the controller or the processor for compliance with this Regulation and is without prejudice to the tasks and powers of the Commission.
(5)A certification pursuant to this Article shall be issued by the certification bodies referred to in Article 43 or by the Commission, on the basis of criteria approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 58(3) ... . Where the criteria are approved by the Board, this may result in a common certification, the European Data Protection Seal.
(6)The controller or processor which submits its processing to the certification mechanism shall provide the certification body referred to in Article 43, or where applicable, the Commission, with all information and access to its processing activities which are necessary to conduct the certification procedure.
(7)Certification shall be issued to a controller or processor for a maximum period of three years and may be renewed, under the same conditions, provided that the relevant criteria continue to be met. Certification shall be withdrawn, as applicable, by the certification bodies referred to in Article 43 or by the Commission where the criteria for the certification are not or are no longer met.
(8)The Commission shall collate all certification mechanisms and data protection seals and marks in a register and shall make them publicly available by any appropriate means.
Full captured verbatim text
(1) The Commission shall encourage ... the establishment of data protection certification mechanisms and of data protection seals and marks, for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with this Regulation of processing operations by controllers and processors. The specific needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises shall be taken into account.

(2) In addition to adherence by controllers or processors subject to this Regulation, data protection certification mechanisms, seals or marks approved pursuant to paragraph 5 of this Article may be established for the purpose of demonstrating the existence of ... safeguards provided by controllers or processors that are not subject to this Regulation pursuant to Article 3 within the framework of personal data transfers to third countries or international organisations under the terms referred to in point (f) of Article 46(2). Such controllers or processors shall make binding and enforceable commitments, via contractual or other legally binding instruments, to apply those ... safeguards, including with regard to the rights of data subjects.

(3) The certification shall be voluntary and available via a process that is transparent.

(4) A certification pursuant to this Article does not reduce the responsibility of the controller or the processor for compliance with this Regulation and is without prejudice to the tasks and powers of the Commission.

(5) A certification pursuant to this Article shall be issued by the certification bodies referred to in Article 43 or by the Commission, on the basis of criteria approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 58(3) ... . Where the criteria are approved by the Board, this may result in a common certification, the European Data Protection Seal.

(6) The controller or processor which submits its processing to the certification mechanism shall provide the certification body referred to in Article 43, or where applicable, the Commission, with all information and access to its processing activities which are necessary to conduct the certification procedure.

(7) Certification shall be issued to a controller or processor for a maximum period of three years and may be renewed, under the same conditions, provided that the relevant criteria continue to be met. Certification shall be withdrawn, as applicable, by the certification bodies referred to in Article 43 or by the Commission where the criteria for the certification are not or are no longer met.

(8) The Commission shall collate all certification mechanisms and data protection seals and marks in a register and shall make them publicly available by any appropriate means.

What this provision means

Model summary, checked against the text on the left.

Relevance to Signicat: 2/3 · detailed summary (L4) Status: not needed for a short provision · Stored artifact; current recipe verification unavailable

Certification mechanisms, seals, and marks may be established to demonstrate compliance of processing operations.

Only the one-line summary above is stored for this provision; the text itself is the evidence.

Refers to

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 3

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 43

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 46

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 58

Referred to by

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 24

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 25

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 28

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 32

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 43

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 46

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 57

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 58

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 83

Part summaries

0 of 0 parts have a verified summary.

L1 unavailable for current verification: the overall summary needs every part verified. Provisions and the verified summaries remain readable.

Verification findings (147)

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-4A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8ZA

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-9

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-10

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-11

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-11A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-12

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-12A.

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-13

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-14

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-15

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-16

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-17

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-18

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-19

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-20

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-21

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22C

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22D

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-23

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-24

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-25

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-26

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-27

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-28

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-29

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-30

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-31

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-32

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-33

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-34

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-35

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-36

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-37

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-38

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-39

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-40

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-41

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-42

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-43

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-44

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-44A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45C

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-46

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-47

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-47A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-48

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-49

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-49A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-50

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-51

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-52

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-53

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-54

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-55

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-56

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-57

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-58

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-59

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-60

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-61

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-62

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-63

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-64

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-65

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-66

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-67

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-68

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-69

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-70

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-71

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-72

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-73

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-74

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-75

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-76

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-77

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-78

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-79

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-80

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-81

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-82

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-83

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84C

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84D

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-85

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-86

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-86A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-87

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-88

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-89

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-90

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-91

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-91A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-92

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-93

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-94

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-95

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-96

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-97

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-98

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-99

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 annex-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-8

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 annex-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-8

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-9

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-10

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-11

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-12

Instrument tier unavailable

Change history as published

Art. 44 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 7 para. 2(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z9)

Art. 45 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 7 para. 3; S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z9)

Art. 48 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 41 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 53 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 47 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 54 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 48 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 55 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 50 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 56 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 51 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 59 omitted (20.8.2025) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 11 para. 12; S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(y)

Ch. 7 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 55 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1) · repeated 17×

Art. 77 omitted (19.6.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 103(6), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 7)

Art. 81 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 60 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 87 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 67 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 88 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 68 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 89 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 86(4), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(n)

Art. 90 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 70 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 91 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 71 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Ch. 10 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 72 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1) · repeated 2×

Art. 97 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 76 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 98 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 77 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 99 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 78 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

Art. 57(3)(4) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z1)(i) · Effective date unknown · Art. 57

Art. 57(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z1)(ii) · Effective date unknown · Art. 57

Art. 77 heading word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z3)(i) · Effective date unknown · Art. 77

Art. 77(1)(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z3)(ii) · Effective date unknown · Art. 77

Art. 80(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z6) · Effective date unknown · Art. 80

Provenance

Every claim the system makes about this text is traceable to these identifiers.

Instrument
uk:eur/2016/679
Part
Version
b0e58b6afa250bd01c5afd9c…
Content hash
sha256 45c3e3492f18c4b90d07994b…
Source
legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679