BS 10012:2017 · Personal information management system

BS 10012PIMS (BS)

The British standard for a personal information management system aligned with GDPR — a practical framework for organisations without a full ISMS.

Apply for BS 10012 →What it gives you

SCHEME CARD · INFORMATION SECURITY

BS 10012Personal information management system · 2017

Who it's for: SMEs handling personal data, hr & recruitment and more
Audit model: Stage 1 + Stage 2 + surveillance
Certificate validity: 3 years
Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks

Listed in public registerCombines with ISO/IEC 27001

3 yrscertificate validity, with annual surveillance audits

2audit stages — documentation review, then on-site assessment

6–10weeks from application to certificate, typical timeline

1business day to a fixed offer after your application

Why companies certify

Who needs BS 10012— and when

BS 10012 specifies requirements for a PIMS: governance, lawful processing, data-subject rights, security and breach response. It suits organisations that need demonstrable GDPR compliance without certifying to ISO/IEC 27001 first.

INDUSTRIES WE CERTIFY TO BS 10012

SMEs handling personal dataHR & recruitmentMarketing agenciesEducationPublic services

Not sure whether BS 10012 fits? Our auditors run a short diagnostic review and suggest the scheme — or a combination of two or three — that answers your customers' requirements.

Inside the standard

What the audit examines

01Governance

Accountability and DPO role defined.

02Lawfulness

Legal basis for each processing activity.

03Rights

Data-subject requests handled in time.

04Security

Proportionate technical and organisational measures.

05Breach response

Detection, assessment, notification.

What the audit covers

Requirements,clause by clause

BS 10012 is audited against these requirement areas. Open each one to see what auditors look for in your company.

Clause 4Context of the organisation+

Interested parties, internal and external issues, and how the scope of the system is defined.

Clause 5Leadership+

Top management commitment, a policy that fits the business, roles and responsibilities.

Clause 6Planning+

Risks and opportunities identified and addressed; measurable objectives with plans to reach them.

Clause 7Support+

Resources, competence and awareness, communication, control of documented information.

Clause 8Operation+

How processes are planned, controlled and delivered day to day.

Clauses 9–10Evaluation & improvement+

Monitoring, internal audits, management review — and how nonconformities become corrective actions.

Benefits

What BS 10012certification gives you

Certified evidence of GDPR-aligned management
Suitable for organisations without an ISMS
Clear accountability structure
Reduced breach impact
Upgrade path to ISO/IEC 27701

Integrated audit

Hold more than one standard? One audit.

BS 10012 shares its structure with ISO/IEC 27001. We audit them together — one team, one visit, one report.

−25%audit days on average

1lead auditor for all standards

The path to certificate

Five steps from application to BS 10012

Scroll the steps — the bar shows where you are in the process. Every step has a named coordinator and a fixed timeline.

STEP 1 / 5 · Application & offer

STEP 11 business day

Application & offer

You send a short application; a coordinator sizes the audit and sends a fixed offer.

→ Offer with audit plan

STEP 21–2 days

Stage 1 audit

Documentation review and readiness check — remote or on site. Gaps are listed, not penalised.

→ Readiness report

STEP 3By calculation

Stage 2 audit

On-site assessment of implementation and effectiveness with a team that knows your sector.

→ Audit report

STEP 45–10 days

Decision & certificate

Independent certification decision; the certificate is issued and entered into the public register.

→ BS 10012 certificate

STEP 5Annual

Surveillance & renewal

Annual surveillance keeps the certificate in force; re-certification in year three.

→ Certificate maintained

Readiness check

Are you readyfor Stage 1?

Tick what you already have. You do not need a perfect system to apply — you need a working one.

Scope, sites and processes definedPolicy and objectives approved by managementKey procedures documented and runningInternal audit completed, findings closedManagement review held with decisions recordedRecords available for the last 3–6 months

Your readiness

Based on the items ticked on the left. Indicative — the Stage 1 audit gives the formal picture.

Apply for BS 10012 →

FAQ · BS 10012

Questions companiesask before certifying

Did not find yours? Call us — a coordinator answers within the same business day.

+38 (044) 332-30-76

How long is the certificate valid?+

Three years, maintained through annual surveillance audits and renewed by a re-certification audit in year three.

Can we combine it with other standards?+

Yes — integrated audits reduce total audit days and cost. Tell us which standards you hold and we size one combined audit.

How is the audit priced?+

Audit duration is calculated by international rules from headcount, sites and complexity, so quotations are comparable between certification bodies.

Related schemes

Often certifiedtogether

Get certifiedto BS 10012

Send an application — we define scope and audit duration, and issue a fixed offer within one business day.

Auditors with experience in your industry
Fixed price — no surprises after Stage 1
Certificate listed in the public register