Top 5 Things to Know About DPF Verification
The Data Privacy Framework (DPF) is a government-backed program reflecting the shared commitment of the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland to strong data protection standards. It provides a streamlined, cost-effective mechanism for transferring personal data from Europe to the United States.
As transatlantic data transfers continue to be a business and regulatory priority, more organizations are seeking reliable, efficient ways to demonstrate compliance with the DPF Principles.
Organizations have two options:
The second option, DPF Verification via third-party review, provides an organization with greater transparency and accountability.
Here are the five most important things organizations should know about the DPF Verification offered by BBB National Programs.
DPF Verification demonstrates that the organization has taken an extra step to commit to the DPF, by opening up its policies and practices in a more deliberate manner. To complete verification, companies must be able to document how their policies and practices are actually meeting the DPF Principles.
For organizations already participating in BBB National Programs’ DPF independent recourse mechanism service, one third of the verification requirements are already addressed. That overlap makes DPF Verification a logical and efficient next step.
Verified organizations demonstrate:
This verification future-proofs organizations by aligning their programs with evolving global data transfer expectations and can reduce regulatory risk over time.
Organizations with established privacy programs—or certifications such as ISO 27001 or Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR)—are positioned well to complete the process efficiently. This makes the DPF Verification a great stepping stone to other industry certifications and a natural complement to a proactive data governance posture companies are taking.
Key benefits include:
DPF Verification reassures stakeholders that data transferred to your organization receives protections equivalent to those required abroad and strengthens both compliance and confidence.
As a trusted leader in industry self-regulation, we serve as a bridge among industry, consumers, and regulators. Through certification, verification, and dispute resolution services, we help organizations demonstrate accountability, stay ahead of regulatory change, and reduce unnecessary risk.
Set up a consultation with us by emailing globalprivacy@bbbnp.org.
As transatlantic data transfers continue to be a business and regulatory priority, more organizations are seeking reliable, efficient ways to demonstrate compliance with the DPF Principles.
Organizations have two options:
- Conduct a self-assessment to verify their implementation of the DPF Principles, or
- Engage an independent third party to conduct that review and verify their privacy practices.
The second option, DPF Verification via third-party review, provides an organization with greater transparency and accountability.
Here are the five most important things organizations should know about the DPF Verification offered by BBB National Programs.
1. DPF Verification Goes Beyond Self-Attestation
Our DPF Verification service fulfills the outside compliance review option, offering an independent assessment of an organization’s adherence to the DPF’s seven core Principles and applicable Supplemental Principles. Organizations that complete the process receive a “DPF Verified” seal, providing tangible, public facing evidence that their privacy commitments and practices have been independently evaluated.DPF Verification demonstrates that the organization has taken an extra step to commit to the DPF, by opening up its policies and practices in a more deliberate manner. To complete verification, companies must be able to document how their policies and practices are actually meeting the DPF Principles.
2. DPF Verification Provides One Service for Two Critical DPF Requirements
BBB National Programs’ DPF Verification package is designed to fulfill both the “Recourse Mechanism” requirement and the “Verification” requirement of the DPF certification program.For organizations already participating in BBB National Programs’ DPF independent recourse mechanism service, one third of the verification requirements are already addressed. That overlap makes DPF Verification a logical and efficient next step.
3. DPF Verification Strengthens Your Privacy Program
DPF Verification is not just about meeting the DPF requirements. It raises the overall maturity of your privacy program.Verified organizations demonstrate:
- Privacy-compliant data flows from the EU, UK, and Switzerland to the U.S.
- Stronger interoperability with the GDPR’s standard contractual clauses and other global privacy frameworks and data transfer mechanisms
- Strong internal accountability and governance structures
- Operationalized privacy principles that stand up to scrutiny
This verification future-proofs organizations by aligning their programs with evolving global data transfer expectations and can reduce regulatory risk over time.
4. DPF Verification Is Thorough and Practical
Our DPF Verification process typically takes three to six weeks to complete, depending on the maturity and readiness of the organization’s privacy practices. The assessment includes:- A questionnaire of approximately 50 questions
- Review of policies, procedures, and supporting evidence
- Ongoing guidance and remediation support as needed
Organizations with established privacy programs—or certifications such as ISO 27001 or Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR)—are positioned well to complete the process efficiently. This makes the DPF Verification a great stepping stone to other industry certifications and a natural complement to a proactive data governance posture companies are taking.
5. DPF Verification Builds Trust, Credibility, and Market Confidence
DPF Verification is public facing, signaling to regulators, business partners, and consumers that your organization handles personal data fairly, lawfully, and transparently.Key benefits include:
- Increased trust with global trading partners and customers
- Reduced risk for organizations that share data with you
- Enhanced reputation through the DPF Verified seal
- Immediate commercial credibility for small and mid-sized enterprises
- Clear differentiation in a crowded, privacy-conscious marketplace
DPF Verification reassures stakeholders that data transferred to your organization receives protections equivalent to those required abroad and strengthens both compliance and confidence.
Why BBB National Programs
BBB National Programs has served as an independent recourse mechanism for over a decade. In addition, we are the only U.S. nonprofit Accountability Agent for the global CBPR certification.As a trusted leader in industry self-regulation, we serve as a bridge among industry, consumers, and regulators. Through certification, verification, and dispute resolution services, we help organizations demonstrate accountability, stay ahead of regulatory change, and reduce unnecessary risk.
Set up a consultation with us by emailing globalprivacy@bbbnp.org.