SGS is proud to announce that it is the first accredited certification body in Oman authorized by Oman‘s Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology (MTCIT) to deliver Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) certification, supporting organizations in meeting the Sultanate of Oman’s data protection and privacy requirements.
This milestone strengthens SGS’s position as a trusted partner for digital trust, governance and regulatory compliance across Oman and the wider region.
With PDPL now fully enforceable, organizations handling personal data related to Oman must act decisively. Certification provides a structured, independent way to demonstrate compliance, accountability and trust.
What Is Oman’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)?
Oman’s Personal Data Protection Law, issued under Royal Decree 6/2022, is the Sultanate’s primary legal framework governing how personal data is collected, processed, stored, transferred and protected.
The law came into force in February 2023, followed by executive regulations issued in February 2024, with a defined compliance grace period.
PDPL applies to any organization acting as a data controller or data processor that processes personal data relating to individuals in Oman. This includes customer data, employee data, user behavior data, and digital identifiers.
At its core, PDPL establishes:
- Clear rights for data subjects
- Legal obligations for controllers and processors
- Strict rules on consent, transparency and purpose limitation
- Mandatory safeguards for security, breach notification and governance
- Controls on cross border data transfers
Non compliance can lead to administrative penalties, suspension of permits and significant fines under Omani law.
What PDPL Compliance Means for Organizations
PDPL is not a paperwork exercise. It requires organizations to operationalize data protection across systems, people and processes.
For organizations, PDPL compliance means:
- Knowing exactly what personal data you collect and why
- Obtaining and managing lawful, explicit consent
- Implementing processes to respond to data subject rights requests
- Appointing a qualified Data Protection Officer where required
- Establishing breach response and notification procedures
- Controlling third party processors and data transfers
- Demonstrating accountability to regulators and stakeholders
Certification provides objective evidence that these controls are not just documented, but implemented and effective.
Who Needs PDPL Certification?
A common misconception is that PDPL only applies to organizations physically based in Oman. That is incorrect. Any organization that processes personal data of Oman users is in scope, regardless of where it is headquartered.
This includes:
- Digital platforms and marketplaces
- E commerce and food delivery apps
- Banks, fintechs and payment service providers
- Telecom and technology companies
- Healthcare providers and insurers
- HR platforms and outsourcing companies
- International organizations serving Oman based customers or employees
If your organization collects names, phone numbers, location data, payment data or behavioral data linked to individuals in Oman, PDPL applies to you.
Why PDPL Certification Matters to Your Clients and Partners
PDPL certification is increasingly becoming a trust signal in Oman’s digital economy. For your clients and partners, certification demonstrates that your organization:
- Respects personal data and privacy by design
- Aligns with Oman’s national digital governance framework
- Reduces regulatory and operational risk
- Is prepared for audits, inspections, and regulatory scrutiny
- Can safely participate in data driven partnerships and ecosystems
In competitive sectors, PDPL certification can be a differentiator when bidding for contracts, onboarding enterprise clients or entering regulated markets.
How SGS Can Help
As the first accredited certification body in Oman for PDPL, SGS provides end to end support across the compliance and certification journey.
Our services include:
- Certification audits aligned with Oman PDPL requirements
- Integration with related standards such as ISO IEC 27001 and ISO IEC 27701
- Ongoing surveillance and recertification support
With global expertise in data protection, cybersecurity and governance, combined with strong local regulatory understanding, SGS helps organizations move from compliance uncertainty to confident assurance.
Take the Next Step Toward PDPL Certification
PDPL enforcement is no longer theoretical. Regulators, partners and customers increasingly expect demonstrable compliance.
Whether you are based in Oman or serving Oman users, now is the time to act.
Contact SGS today to assess your readiness for PDPL certification and take a proactive step toward trusted, compliant data practices.
This accreditation enables us to support organizations in meeting Oman’s data protection requirements with confidence, credibility and independent verification.
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About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
