ISO 27701:2025 update: What’s changed and why it matters

Organisations across all sectors are under increasing pressure to prove how they protect personal dataInformation which relates to an identified or identifiable natural person.. Customers, partners, and regulators expect verifiable evidence of compliance and accountabilityPerhaps the most important GDPR principle, which requires controllers to take responsibility for complying with the GDPR and, document their compliance., not just policies on paper.  

ISO 27701:2025 offers exactly that. As the updated international standard for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS), it provides a recognised and auditable way to demonstrate privacy maturity, strengthen governance, and build stakeholderAn individual with an interest or concern in something (i.e. a Social Worker, Healthcare Professional, Headteacher etc. in respect of the welfare of a child). trust. For organisations seeking independent assurance, this update presents a timely opportunity to strengthen confidence in how personal data is handled. 

In this blog, we explain what has changed in ISO 27701:2025, why these updates matter for organisations today, and how expert Data Protection Officer leadership can help translate the standard into meaningful, measurable outcomes. 

• What is ISO 27701? 
• What has changed in ISO 27701:2025? 
• Benefits of ISO 27701:2025 
• Who should lead ISO 27702 implementation? 

What is ISO 27701?

ISO 27701 is the international standard for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS). It provides a structured framework for managing personal data responsibly, demonstrating compliance with global privacy regulations, and building stakeholder trust in how organisations handle personal information.  

First published in 2019 as an extension to ISO 27001, the standard has helped organisations worldwide prove their commitment to privacy beyond reactive compliance. The 2025 edition marks a significant evolution, making privacy certification more accessible whilst addressing today’s privacy challenges. 

What has changed in ISO 27701:2025?

The 2025 edition introduces significant updates that reflect how privacy risks and accountability expectations have evolved since the standard was first published in 2019. 

The main changes include standalone certification, a new management system structure, clearer role-based controls, mandatory privacy risk management, broader coverage of modern privacy challenges, and stronger alignment with global privacy regulations. 

Below we explore each of these updates in more detail and what they mean for organisations in practice. 

Standalone privacy certification 

ISO 27701:2025 can now be certified independently of ISO 27001. This shift recognises privacy as a standalone management discipline and gives organisations a direct route to certification.   

By removing the need for a full Information Security Management System (ISMS), organisations no longer have to build ISO 27001 first. This makes certification faster, more affordable, and easier to achieve, especially for teams that need credible, auditable proof of privacy accountability, without the cost or complexity of a full security framework. 

Updated management system structure 

The standard now adopts the High-Level Structure (HLS) used across ISO management system standards. Clauses 4–10 now define all PIMS requirements, making it easier to integrate privacy with existing frameworks, such as ISO 9001 or 14001. 

Clearer role-based controls

Controls are now organised into three defined categories, removing ambiguity around controller and processor responsibilities and aligning more closely with roles defined in data protection lawAny law, statute, declaration, decree, directive, legislative enactment, order, ordinance, regulation, rule or other binding restriction (as amended, consolidated or re-enacted from time to time) that relates to the protection of individuals with regards to the Processing of personal data..  

• PII Controllers: 31 controls for organisations determining the purposes and means of processing 
• PII Processors: 18 controls for organisations processing data on behalf of controllers 
• Information security: 29 controls applicable to both roles, focused on privacy 

The standard also expands its control coverage to reflect emerging privacy considerations, such as biometric data, algorithmic transparency, and age assurance mechanisms.  

Importantly, Annex B, which provides detailed implementation guidance for each control, is now normative. This means organisations are now required to use this guidance as part of certification, ensuring clearer expectations and more consistent assessment of privacy controls across different contexts. 

Mandatory privacy risk management

In the 2019 edition, privacy risk management was implied, but not explicit. ISO 27701:2025 now makes it a formal requirement, integrating privacy risk evaluation into organisational governance. 

Organisations must: 

• Assess risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms 
• Assess risks to the organisation, such as operational, financial, reputational impacts 
• Integrate privacy and information security risk management into a unified approach 
• Maintain a documented methodology showing how privacy risks are identified, assessed, treated, and monitored across the organisation 

The standard recognises that privacy incidents can undermine stakeholder trust just as significantly as security breaches. It therefore requires organisations to evaluate modern privacy threats, such as AI-driven profiling, cross-border data flows, and Internet of ThingsThe concept of connecting everyday devices to the internet and to each other for the purposes of collecting, receiving and sending data about their use. (IoT) ecosystems, as part of their formal risk management processA series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.. 

Modern privacy challenges addressed

ISO 27701:2025 expands its scope to reflect contemporary privacy risks, ensuring the standard remains aligned with current technologies and regulatory expectations. The updated risk requirements cover: 

• AI-driven profiling and automated decision-making 
• Cloud services and shared responsibility models 
• Cross-border data transfers and adequacy assessments 
• Biometric and health data processing 
• Children’s data and age assurance 
• Internet of Things (IoT) and connected device environments 
• Third-party data sharing and processor oversight 

Global regulatory alignment 

The 2025 edition strengthens its relevance beyond European data protection laws. Updated terminology and control expectations now support compliance with major privacy regulations worldwide, including: 

• UK Data Protection Act 2018The Data Protection Act 2018 is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament which updates data protection laws in the UK (and supersedes the Data Protection Act 1998), and implemented the GDPR into UK legislation. 
• California Consumer Privacy ActThe California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a state statute intended to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California. The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) amends and expands the CCPA by introducing new privacy rights for consumers. (CCPA) 
• California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) 
• Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD) 
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) 
• Singapore and Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)The Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) of Thailand, effective from 1 June 2022. It is the country’s first comprehensive data protection legislation.  

By aligning with international requirements, the standard helps organisations demonstrate accountability across multiple jurisdictions, reducing duplication, simplifying due diligence, and supporting global operations. 

Benefits of ISO 27701:2025

For organisations looking to move beyond policy-level compliance, ISO 27701:2025 provides a measurable route to privacy maturity and operational assurance. 

A recognised benchmark for accountability
Independent certification demonstrates privacy governance is structured, measurable, and audit-ready, aligning with global expectations for accountability.

Stronger procurement and market access
As clients demand evidence that privacy risks are well-managed, certification can accelerate onboarding, reduce due diligence effort, and support access to regulated or international markets. 

Consistency in privacy operations
The updated structure and mandatory guidance in Annex B ensure privacy is implemented consistently across teams and processes, reducing ambiguity and compliance gaps.

Support for growth and change
A scalable PIMS framework allows organisations to adapt to new markets, data uses, technologies, and regulatory requirements with confidence.

Evidence of leadership and cultural maturity
Certification signals that privacy is embedded into organisational governance, strengthening trust with customers, partners, and oversight bodies.

Regulatory resilience
With stronger alignment to global privacy laws and mandatory risk management, organisations can better withstand regulatory scrutiny and emerging compliance demands.

Who should lead ISO 27701 implementation?

ISO 27701:2025 introduces clearer expectations for accountability, governance, and privacy risk management. Meeting these expectations requires a deep understanding of how personal data is processed, protected, and governed across the organisation. 

This is where the Data Protection Officer (DPO) provides unique value. With DPO leadership, certification becomes a way to prove meaningful privacy governance, not just produce documentation for an audit. 

A DPO brings: 

• Legal and operational oversight: Ensures controls reflect regulatory requirements and practical realities, reducing the risk of misinterpretation 
• End-to-end visibility of data flows: Understands how data moves across teams and systems, essential for mapping risks and roles to specific controls 
• Authority to embed accountability: Drives organisation-wide adoption and compliance 
• Integration of privacy and security practices: Helps align the PIMS with existing operational and security structures, avoiding duplication and conflicting priorities

The DPO Centre has experience helping organisations demonstrate privacy accountability through ISO/IEC 27701. Contact us to discuss how we can support readiness and implementation with confidence. 

Frequently asked questions 

Do organisations need ISO 27001 to achieve ISO 27701 certification?

No, ISO 27701:2025 can be certified independently of ISO 27001. Organisations that already have an Information Security Management System (ISMS) can still integrate both standards, but it is no longer a prerequisite for demonstrating privacy maturity. 

How does ISO 27701 support GDPR compliance?

The standard provides a structured framework to evidence accountability, including governance, role definitions, risk management, and data protection controls aligned with GDPR principles. While certification does not guarantee GDPR compliance, it provides auditors, clients, and regulators with objective assurance that key obligations are embedded into operations. 

Is ISO 27701 certification mandatory?

No, certification is voluntary but increasingly recognised as best practice. Achieving it demonstrates a proactive commitment to privacy and provides assurance to regulators, customers, and partners that your organisation takes data protection seriously. 

What should I do if I’m already certified to ISO 27701:2019?

There is a formal transition period until October 2028. Organisations will need to update their PIMS to reflect the changes in the 2025 edition, including the revised structure, updated controls, and mandatory privacy risk management. Transition usually takes place during the next planned audit cycle. Your certification body will guide you through this process, typically involving a transition audit to verify compliance with the new requirements. 

How long does ISO 27701 certification take?

Timelines vary based on organisational size, data complexity, and whether an existing management system is in place. Typically, organisations with mature privacy governance may transition within a single audit cycle, whereas organisations without any ISO certifications may need several months to implement and operationalise the required controls. Starting with a gap assessment is the most reliable way to determine a realistic timeframe. 

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