Key Takeaways
| Point |
Summary |
| Design alignment |
ISO 27701 explicitly designed to support GDPR compliance |
| Mapping provided |
Annex D maps controls to GDPR articles |
| Controller coverage |
Annex A controls map to controller obligations (Art. 5-25) |
| Processor coverage |
Annex B controls map to processor obligations (Art. 28-33) |
| Important caveat |
Certification supports but doesn't equal GDPR compliance |
| Documentation benefit |
ISO 27701 creates GDPR accountability evidence |
Quick Answer: ISO 27701 provides structured support for GDPR compliance through explicit mapping between its controls and GDPR articles. Annex A controls address controller requirements, Annex B addresses processor requirements. However, ISO 27701 certification demonstrates systematic privacy management, not legal GDPR compliance, which requires additional legal and operational measures.
Understanding the Relationship
Certification vs. Legal Compliance
| Aspect |
ISO 27701 Certification |
GDPR Compliance |
| Nature |
Technical standard certification |
Legal requirement |
| Scope |
Privacy management system |
All GDPR obligations |
| Assessment |
Auditor against standard |
Supervisory authority interpretation |
| Outcome |
Certificate |
Ongoing legal compliance |
| Liability |
None from certification |
Legal penalties for non-compliance |
ISO 27701 certification supports GDPR compliance by:
- Providing systematic framework for privacy management
- Creating documented evidence of accountability
- Establishing repeatable processes for rights and obligations
- Demonstrating commitment to privacy protection
ISO 27701 certification does not:
- Guarantee GDPR legal compliance
- Replace legal analysis of processing activities
- Substitute for Data Protection Impact Assessments
- Eliminate need for legal counsel on complex matters
GDPR Principles Mapping
Article 5 Principles Alignment
| GDPR Principle |
Article 5 Reference |
ISO 27701 Coverage |
| Lawfulness, fairness, transparency |
Art. 5(1)(a) |
A.7.2.1, A.7.2.2, A.7.3.2 |
| Purpose limitation |
Art. 5(1)(b) |
A.7.2.1, A.7.2.3 |
| Data minimization |
Art. 5(1)(c) |
A.7.4.1, A.7.4.4 |
| Accuracy |
Art. 5(1)(d) |
A.7.4.3 |
| Storage limitation |
Art. 5(1)(e) |
A.7.4.7, A.7.4.8 |
| Integrity and confidentiality |
Art. 5(1)(f) |
ISO 27001 controls + A.7.4.9 |
| Accountability |
Art. 5(2) |
PIMS framework, A.7.2.8 |
Controller Obligations Mapping
Lawful Basis (Article 6)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Identify lawful basis |
A.7.2.2 |
Legal basis register |
| Document basis |
A.7.2.2 |
Processing records |
| Consent requirements |
A.7.2.4 |
Consent management |
| Purpose specification |
A.7.2.1 |
Purpose documentation |
Consent (Articles 7-8)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Conditions for consent |
A.7.2.4 |
Consent mechanisms |
| Withdrawal mechanism |
A.7.3.3 |
Withdrawal procedures |
| Consent modification |
A.7.3.4 |
Preference management |
| Children's consent |
A.7.2.4 |
Age verification, parental consent |
Transparency (Articles 12-14)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Transparent information |
A.7.3.2 |
Privacy notices |
| Clear communication |
A.7.3.2 |
Plain language policies |
| Information at collection |
A.7.3.2 |
Collection point notices |
| Indirect collection info |
A.7.3.2 |
Third-party data notices |
Data Subject Rights (Articles 15-22)
| GDPR Right |
Article |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Access |
Art. 15 |
A.7.3.6 |
DSAR process |
| Rectification |
Art. 16 |
A.7.3.7 |
Correction procedures |
| Erasure |
Art. 17 |
A.7.3.8 |
Deletion procedures |
| Restriction |
Art. 18 |
A.7.3.5 |
Processing restriction |
| Notification |
Art. 19 |
A.7.3.9 |
Third-party notification |
| Portability |
Art. 20 |
A.7.3.10 |
Data export |
| Objection |
Art. 21 |
A.7.3.5 |
Objection handling |
| Automated decisions |
Art. 22 |
A.7.2.1 |
Profiling controls |
Privacy by Design (Article 25)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Data protection by design |
A.7.4 series |
Privacy by design process |
| Data protection by default |
A.7.4.1, A.7.4.2 |
Default privacy settings |
| Minimization |
A.7.4.4 |
Collection limitation |
| Pseudonymization |
A.7.4.5 |
De-identification |
Records of Processing (Article 30)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Controller records |
A.7.2.8 |
Processing inventory |
| Processor records |
B.8.2.6 |
Processor register |
| Record contents |
A.7.2.8 |
Required fields documented |
| Record availability |
A.7.2.8 |
Accessible for supervisory authority |
Security (Article 32)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Appropriate measures |
ISO 27001 Annex A |
Security controls |
| Pseudonymization |
A.7.4.5 |
De-identification |
| Confidentiality |
A.7.4.9 |
Access controls |
| Regular testing |
ISO 27001 9.2 |
Security audits |
Data Protection Impact Assessment (Article 35)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| DPIA requirement |
A.7.2.5 |
PIA process |
| DPIA content |
A.7.2.5 |
Assessment template |
| High-risk processing |
A.7.2.5 |
Risk criteria |
| DPO consultation |
A.7.2.5 |
DPO involvement |
Processor Obligations Mapping
Processor Requirements (Article 28)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Written contract |
B.8.2.1 |
DPA in place |
| Processing instructions |
B.8.2.2 |
Instruction documentation |
| Confidentiality |
B.8.2.1 |
Personnel obligations |
| Security measures |
ISO 27001 |
Technical and organizational measures |
| Sub-processor use |
B.8.5.1-5 |
Sub-processor management |
| Controller assistance |
B.8.2.5, B.8.3.2 |
Support processes |
| Audit cooperation |
B.8.2.1 |
Audit procedures |
| Deletion/return |
B.8.6.1-4 |
End of service procedures |
Breach Notification (Articles 33-34)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Control |
Implementation |
| Processor notification to controller |
B.8.4.1 |
Without undue delay after becoming aware |
| Controller notification to supervisory authority |
Clause 10 |
Within 72 hours of becoming aware |
| Notification content |
ISO 27001 A.5.24 |
Required information per Article 33(3) |
| Data subject notification |
A.7.3.9 |
When likely high risk to individuals |
Important timing clarification: The 72-hour deadline in GDPR Article 33 applies specifically to controllers notifying the supervisory authority. Processors must notify controllers "without undue delay" but GDPR does not specify exact hours. Many Data Processing Agreements contractually require processor notification within 24-48 hours.
International Transfers Mapping
Transfer Requirements (Chapter V)
| GDPR Requirement |
ISO 27701 Coverage |
Implementation |
| Transfer basis |
A.7.5.2 |
Transfer documentation |
| Adequacy decisions |
A.7.5.2 |
Country assessment |
| Standard clauses |
B.8.5.5 |
SCCs implementation |
| Binding corporate rules |
A.7.5.4 |
BCR documentation |
| Derogations |
A.7.5.2 |
Specific consent, contracts |
Creating GDPR Compliance Evidence
Documentation Framework
| GDPR Accountability Evidence |
ISO 27701 Source |
| Privacy policy |
Clause 5.2.1 |
| Processing records |
A.7.2.8, B.8.2.6 |
| Legal basis documentation |
A.7.2.2 |
| Consent records |
A.7.2.4 |
| DPIA records |
A.7.2.5 |
| Processor agreements |
A.7.2.6 |
| Training records |
Clause 7.2 |
| Audit reports |
Clause 9.2 |
Demonstrating Accountability
| GDPR Art. 5(2) Requirement |
Evidence from ISO 27701 |
| Demonstrate compliance |
PIMS documentation |
| Data protection policies |
Privacy policy suite |
| Records of processing |
PII inventory |
| Technical measures |
Control implementation evidence |
| Organizational measures |
Roles, procedures, training |
| DPO appointment |
If required, documented role |
Regulatory Recognition
Supervisory Authority Perspectives
While ISO 27701 certification is not legally required, supervisory authorities generally view it favorably:
| Consideration |
Regulatory View |
| Evidence of commitment |
Positive indicator of privacy investment |
| Systematic approach |
Demonstrates organized privacy management |
| Third-party validation |
External verification adds credibility |
| Not compliance proof |
Does not substitute for legal analysis |
| Factor in enforcement |
May influence penalty considerations |
Using Certification in Practice
| Context |
How ISO 27701 Helps |
| Supervisory authority inquiry |
Evidence of systematic approach |
| Customer due diligence |
Third-party validated privacy practices |
| Vendor assessments |
Demonstrates processor reliability |
| Breach response |
Evidence of pre-existing measures |
| Contract negotiations |
Objective privacy standard reference |
Common Questions
Does ISO 27701 certification guarantee GDPR compliance?
No. Certification demonstrates you have a systematic privacy management system, but GDPR compliance involves legal interpretations, specific factual circumstances, and ongoing operational compliance that certification cannot verify.
Can ISO 27701 replace a GDPR compliance assessment?
No. ISO 27701 provides framework and controls, but legal analysis of your specific processing activities, legal bases, and regulatory obligations still requires legal expertise and judgment.
How do auditors assess GDPR alignment?
ISO 27701 auditors assess whether you've implemented the standard's controls. They do not assess GDPR legal compliance directly, though their assessment covers many areas that support compliance.
What if GDPR requirements change?
GDPR is law that can be interpreted and enforced differently over time. ISO 27701 provides a framework; you must stay current with GDPR interpretations and update your practices accordingly.
How Bastion Helps
Aligning ISO 27701 implementation with GDPR requirements maximizes the value of your certification investment. We help organizations build integrated compliance programs.
| Service |
Description |
| GDPR gap analysis |
Identify GDPR requirements and current gaps |
| Integrated implementation |
Implement ISO 27701 with GDPR alignment |
| Documentation |
Create documentation serving both certification and compliance |
| Ongoing support |
Maintain alignment as regulations evolve |
| Legal coordination |
Work with your legal counsel on compliance questions |
Ready to align ISO 27701 certification with GDPR compliance? Talk to our team
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