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Independent, government-backed certification for cross-border data protection.
VeraSafe is an approved Accountability Agent in the APEC and Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) Systems. We certify organizations that demonstrate robust and transparent privacy practices in line with the APEC and Global Privacy Frameworks.
Administered by Professionals
Certification is administered by experienced privacy and data protection professionals.
Free Consultation
Get a free, no-obligation consultation and quote today for your CBPR or PRP certification.
The CBPR & PRP Systems
The CBPR and PRP Systems are voluntary, enforceable privacy certification programs recognized by participating economies.
- The CBPR System applies to personal information controllers—persons or organizations who control the collection, holding, processing or use of personal information.
- The PRP System applies to personal information processors—persons or organizations that process personal data on behalf of other organizations (controllers), for example, providers of cloud hosting services and SaaS.
These certifications help organizations demonstrate a high level of accountability while, in some cases, enabling compliant cross-border data flows.
APEC CBPR and PRP Certification
Currently, there are nine participating APEC CBPR System economies: United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, and Mexico. In addition, The APEC PRP System has been fully operationalized in the United States and Singapore.
Global CBPR and PRP Certification
Global CBPR and Global PRP certification is currently available to companies headquartered in Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and the United States.
Is Certification Right for Your Organization?
CBPR Certification is ideal for:
- Global software platforms and SaaS providers that collect and control customer account data and usage information.
- E‑commerce and payment companies that manage transactions and customer details across borders.
- Travel, hospitality, and booking platforms handling personal information for international customers.
- Healthcare and life sciences organizations that collect and manage clinical trial or patient data globally.
- Multinational corporations that need a consistent privacy standard to transfer employee or customer data among subsidiaries in different countries.
- Organizations planning to pursue GDPR Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) or EU Codes of Conduct, since CBPR certification can help demonstrate an existing culture of accountability and privacy governance.
PRP Certification is ideal for:
- Cloud service providers, hosting companies, and data centers that process personal information on behalf of clients.
- Marketing technology and analytics vendors processing customer data for campaigns, targeting, and performance measurement.
- Event management, HR, and recruitment platforms that handle registrant, attendee, or candidate information for customers.
- Service providers in regulated industries (like financial services, healthcare, or logistics) that process sensitive personal data for business clients.
How the Certification Process Works
As a designated Accountability Agent under both the CBPR and PRP Systems, VeraSafe performs an independent, third-party assessment of your privacy practices. We will evaluate your organization’s privacy program for compliance with the CBPR or PRP System requirements, certify your organization if it qualifies, add your organization to the respective APEC or Global compliance directory and conduct annual–recertification and ongoing monitoring to confirm continued compliance.
- Application & Documentation Submission
To begin the process, your organization will complete a questionnaire and submit supporting documentation that outlines your current data privacy policies, procedures, and practices. This may include internal policies and procedures, privacy notices, contracts, and descriptions of your data governance structure.
- Formal Assessment
VeraSafe conducts a structured evaluation of your privacy program against the applicable CBPR or PRP System requirements. Under CBPR, this includes a review of your data protection practices in relation to principles such as notice, collection limitation, choice, accountability, security safeguards, data integrity, and access and correction, based on your completed questionnaire and the documentation you submitted. Under PRP certification, the review focuses on two key Privacy Framework Principles: security safeguards and accountability. We may request clarifications or additional documentation to complete the assessment.
- Certification Issued
Once VeraSafe verifies that your privacy practices meet the requirements of the relevant CBPR or PRP System, we will issue your official certification. Your organization will then be listed in the relevant public directory of certified organizations, allowing you to demonstrate compliance to regulators, investors, individuals, customers, and partners across participating APEC economies. Upon successful certification, VeraSafe issues a verifiable CBPR and/or PRP trust seal for display on your organization’s website.
APEC CBPR and PRP Trust Seal examples:
Global CBPR and PRP Trust Seal examples:
- Annual Monitoring and Renewal
Certifications must be renewed annually. To maintain your certification, VeraSafe requires participants to submit an annual attestation confirming continued adherence to the program requirements. As part of re‑certification, VeraSafe conducts a comprehensive review that may include updated documentation, verification of current practices, and an assessment of any material changes to data processing activities.
In addition to this annual review, VeraSafe conducts ongoing monitoring throughout the certification period to ensure participants continue to meet the program requirements. If there are reasonable grounds to believe a participant has engaged in practices that may breach these requirements, VeraSafe will immediately initiate a compliance review. Any identified gaps must be corrected within a specified timeframe, and VeraSafe will verify that all required changes have been implemented before confirming continued certification.
FAQs
What’s the difference between APEC CBPR and PRP Certification and Global CBPR and PRP Certification?
The Global CBPR and Global PRP Systems are based on the same framework as the APEC CBPR and PRP Systems, so they are very similar in design and purpose. Both use an accountability-based certification model to support cross-border data transfers and privacy protections.
The key difference is that they are administered separately. The APEC CBPR and PRP Systems are overseen within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework and apply only to participating APEC economies. The Global CBPR and PRP Systems are managed by the Global CBPR Forum, which extends participation to jurisdictions outside of APEC and provides a certification program with broader, international coverage.
What’s the difference between the CBPR and PRP Systems?
The CBPR System is designed for data controllers (organizations that determine the purposes and means of processing personal information). The PRP System is intended for data processors (vendors or service providers that process personal information on behalf of others). VeraSafe is authorized to certify organizations under both systems. It is possible to be certified under both systems if your organization operates as a controller as well as a processor.
How long does the certification process take?
The timeline varies depending on the completeness of your documentation and the complexity of your privacy program and operations. Most organizations complete the certification process within 8 to 16 weeks from the time all required materials are submitted.
Is APEC certification recognized outside of the Asia-Pacific region?
While the CBPR and PRP Systems are formally recognized only in participating APEC economies, certification demonstrates your organization’s adherence to internationally accepted privacy standards and can enhance your credibility globally. A new Global CBPR Forum has been established, which can further expand the recognition and value of your certification on a global scale by way of Global CBPR and PRP certifications.
What happens if we fail to meet the certification criteria?
The application process is iterative and allows for interactions with you. If your organization does not meet the requirements, VeraSafe will provide a summary of findings identifying where your organization falls short. You will have an opportunity to address those.
Can organizations apply for certification in a country where they are not based?
No. Organizations must apply for certification through an Accountability Agent operating in the participating country where the organization is primarily located.
Why should organizations get certified under the CBPR and PRP Systems?
Certification helps organizations streamline cross-border data transfers based on a trusted, recognized framework. It supports compliance with local privacy laws and international standards, making privacy management simpler. Certification also acts as a due diligence tool for selecting reliable partners and shows a strong commitment to privacy accountability, building trust with customers and regulators.
Why VeraSafe?
Officially recognized APEC and Global CBPR & PRP Accountability Agent.
Strategic approach that turns CBPR and/or PRP certification into a competitive advantage.
Tailored solutions aligned with your organization’s business goals.
Work directly with our in-house team of attorneys and privacy professionals.
VeraSafe’s experienced team has been helping organizations navigate privacy and data protection for over a decade.
Benefit from VeraSafe’s global privacy experience to build trust across APEC and beyond.