Overview
Standard Contractual Clauses For Personal Data Transfer – Purpose explains the purpose of the Saudi Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for Personal Data Transfer and their role as a lawful safeguard for transferring Personal Data outside the Kingdom. The SCCs ensure that Personal Data transferred to countries or international organizations without an adequate level of protection continues to receive protection equivalent to that required under the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and its Regulations.
This section positions SCCs as a key compliance mechanism alongside other recognized safeguards such as Binding Common Rules and accreditation certificates approved by the Competent Authority.
SDAIA's Official Text
The text below reproduces official PDPL law, regulation, or guideline issued by the Saudi Data & AI Authority, verified against the original SDAIA source. No changes or reinterpretation applied.
Purpose
The purpose of these Clauses is to ensure the application of a level of protection of Personal Data equivalent to the level of protection applied under the Law and Regulations by specifying the obligations of the parties involved in the transfer of Personal Data to a country or international organization that does not have an appropriate level of Personal Data protection. These Clauses are one of the appropriate safeguards that Controllers and Processors may use in addition to the Binding Common Rules (BCR) and accreditation certificates from a body licensed by the Competent Authority.
Plain-Language Explanation
The explanation below is provided to help you understand the SDAIA’s legal text and does not replace or override the official PDPL law, regulation, or guideline.
Equivalent Level of Protection
This provision establishes that SCCs are designed to replicate the level of Personal Data protection required under Saudi law when data is transferred outside the Kingdom.
Where the recipient country or international organization lacks adequate statutory protection, the SCCs contractually impose obligations that mirror PDPL requirements, ensuring continuity of protection after the transfer.
Allocation of Obligations Between Parties
Use in Non-Adequate Jurisdictions
Relationship With Other Transfer Safeguards
The provision clarifies that SCCs are not the only permitted safeguard for cross-border transfers. They operate alongside other recognized mechanisms, including Binding Common Rules (BCR) and accreditation certificates issued by bodies licensed by the Competent Authority.
Controllers and Processors may select the most appropriate safeguard based on the nature of the transfer and regulatory requirements.
