Retail Excellence, Ireland’s largest retail representative body, launched a GDPR manual to its membership with the Assistant Data Protection Commissioner, Dale Sutherland and Grant Thornton Partner, Mike Harris. The Data Protection Commissioner’s Offices have approved the manual and its content for circulation to the 1,750 members of the organisation.
The manual, compiled by Retail Excellence Corporate Partner, Grant Thornton, will help members around Ireland achieve compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which are due to come into effect on 25th May next year.
GDPR means that any company processing personal data will be required to comply with the provisions of the Regulations. Failure to adhere to same could lead to retailers facing fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover, depending on which is greater.
Speaking at the launch of the manual with Assistant Data Protection Commissioner, Dale Sutherland, Deputy CEO of Retail Excellence, Lorraine Higgins said “This new development on the legislative landscape changes the way everyone deals with data. Our member retailers deal with data on a daily basis with their ezines, loyalty schemes and employee information thus it is of huge importance to us that we have them prepared so as to ensure they are fully compliant and insulate them from prosecution”.
“The launch of our GDPR document demonstrates our commitment to helping retailers better understand the implications of the regulations and identifies the steps retailers need to take to become compliant so risks of breach are minimised. Our efforts will continue right up to May 2018 and we have planned a number of briefing sessions planned for our members benefit”.
“We would like to thank Mike Harris of Grant Thornton and the Data Protection Commissioner for their help in ensuring we have a complete best practice guide for all of our members which will help them achieve GDPR compliance”.
Commenting on the new regime, Grant Thornton Cyber Security Partner Mike Harris said “The new GDPR regulations could have serious implications for non-compliant retailers. There are additional considerations such as their right to be forgotten. The penalties for non-compliance are also very real. We have produced a retailer-centred manual which will assist them through this process and help ensure compliance and are happy to talk further with anyone who requires assistance”.
