Creditsafe USA Inc. End User Terms and Conditions continued.

13.2. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

"Data Protection Legislation" means, to the extent applicable (a) the UK GDPR (as defined in section 3(10) (as supplemented by section 205(4)) of the Data Protection Act 2018) and any other law of the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom which relates to the protection of Personal Data; (b) the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) ("EU GDPR") and any other law of the European Union or any member state of the European Union to which either party is subject, which relates to the protection of Personal Data; and (c) all other legislation and regulatory requirements in force from time to time which apply to a party relating to the use of Personal Data (including, without limitation, the privacy of electronic communications).

"Controller" shall have the meaning set out in the GDPR.

"EU SCCs" means the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses for data transfers between EU and non-EU countries, as set out in the Annex to Commission Implementing Decision (EU)  2021/914, a completed copy of which comprises Schedule 1, or such alternative clauses as may be approved by the European Commission from time to time.

GDPR” means the EU GDPR and/or the UK GDPR, as the case may be.

Personal Data” shall have the meaning associated with “personal data,” “personal information” or comparable term as set out in the applicable Data Protection Legislation .

Product Data” means any Personal Data provided to the Customer by Creditsafe through the Service or used within Creditsafe’s products and services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to any Personal Data comprised in Creditsafe’s credit reports, compliance and risk reports, prospecting lists, monitoring tool, data appends.

"SCCs" means the EU SCCs and/or the UK SCCs, as the case may be.

"UK SCCs" means the ICO’s International Data Transfer Agreement for the transfer of Personal Data from the UK to an entity located in a Third Country or such other alternative agreement as may be approved by the UK from time to time (“IDTA”); or the ICO’s International Data Transfer Addendum to the EU SCC, a completed copy of which comprises Schedule 2, or such other alternative clauses as may be approved by the UK from time to time (“UK Addendum”).

13.3. In connection with the Product Data, both parties act as independent Controllers.

13.4. The Customer’s use of the Product Data is subject to the licensing terms and restrictions set out in this Agreement. Creditsafe shall not be liable to the Customer in connection with any breach of the Data Protection Legislation or any fines, penalties or costs arising therefrom, to the extent caused by the Customer’s or a related third party’s unauthorised use of the Product Data.

13.5. The Customer is responsible for establishing the lawful basis on which it processes the Product Data and maintaining compliance with the Data Protection Legislation in connection with such Product Data. The transfer of Personal Data is only permitted where the Customer has a legitimate interest in its knowledge as recipient of the data/ information.  For this reason, the Customer undertakes to only request information which contains Personal Data where it has such a legitimate interest and terminating the process if there is no legitimate interest. 

13.6. The Customer acknowledges that it is its duty to record the reason for the existence of a legitimate interest and that the way in which it is demonstrated is incumbent on the Customer as recipient of the data/ information in the case of an automated access system.

13.7. The Customer agrees that it shall only access and use the Services for the purposes listed in Schedule 1 Annex B including credit checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

13.8. The Customer represents and warrants to Creditsafe that it commits to maintaining technical and organisational measures to protect such data from accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, the Product Data.  The Customer shall provide to Creditsafe details of the same upon request.

13.9. The Customer will notify Creditsafe without delay upon becoming aware of a security breach to the Product Data subject to the Data Protection Legislation or other applicable law.

13.10.               In so far as they are relevant to the data and/or services to be supplied pursuant to the Agreement, each party agrees to be bound by and to comply with the Data Protection Legislation and in particular with the additional requirements set forth under the SCCs appended hereto as Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. The Customer's acceptance of and agreement to the terms of the Agreement includes acceptance of and agreement to the SCCs at Schedule 1 and/or Schedule 2 (as applicable). In the case of conflict or ambiguity between any of the provisions of this Agreement and the SCCs at Schedule 1 and/or Schedule 2, the provisions of the SCCs will prevail.

 

13.11.               Where one party faces an actual or potential claim arising out of or related to violation of the Data Protection Legislation or any data protection law concerning the Services or Product Data processed hereunder, the other party will promptly provide all materials and information requested that is relevant to the defense of such claim and the underlying circumstances concerning the claim.

13.12.               Each party agrees that to the extent the other party receives or processes the name, business telephone number, business cell phone number, business address, or business email address of the other party’s employees in the ordinary course of developing and/or maintaining a business relationship between Creditsafe and Customer, each party represents to the other party that it is authorized to permit the other party to process such Personal Data regarding employees for the sole purpose of performing their respective responsibilities under this Agreement and instructs the other party to process such Personal Data for such purposes.

13.13.               In the event that that Customer receives a government request for Personal Data concerning EU or UK citizens, Customer shall:  (a) notify Creditsafe and/or the applicable data subjects without undue delay; (b) only comply with such request when clearly compelled to do so; and (c) challenge such request and permit and reasonably assist Creditsafe and any affected data subject in challenging the request.

13.14              The parties agree that if Creditsafe considers that the provisions of this Clause 13 no longer comply with the Data Protection Legislation then Creditsafe may adapt, update or amend these terms to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Legislation.

 

 

Schedule 1

EU SCCs

SECTION I

1                    Purpose and scope

(a)                The purpose of these standard contractual clauses is to ensure compliance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation) for the transfer of personal data to a third country.

(b)                The Parties:

(i)                  the natural or legal person(s), public authority/ies, agency/ies or other body/ies (hereinafter ‘entity/ies’) transferring the personal data, as listed in Annex I.A (hereinafter each ‘data exporter’), and

(ii)                 the entity/ies in a third country receiving the personal data from the data exporter, directly or indirectly via another entity also Party to these Clauses, as listed in Annex I.A (hereinafter each ‘data importer’)

have agreed to these standard contractual clauses (hereinafter: ‘Clauses’).

(c)                 These Clauses apply with respect to the transfer of personal data as specified in Annex I.B.

(d)                The Appendix to these Clauses containing the Annexes referred to therein forms an integral part of these Clauses.

2                    Effect and invariability of the Clauses

(a)                These Clauses set out appropriate safeguards, including enforceable data subject rights and effective legal remedies, pursuant to Article 46(1) and Article 46(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and, with respect to data transfers from controllers to processors and/or processors to processors, standard contractual clauses pursuant to Article 28(7) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, provided they are not modified, except to select the appropriate Module(s) or to add or update information in the Appendix. This does not prevent the Parties from including the standard contractual clauses laid down in these Clauses in a wider contract and/or to add other clauses or additional safeguards, provided that they do not contradict, directly or indirectly, these Clauses or prejudice the fundamental rights or freedoms of data subjects.

(b)                These Clauses are without prejudice to obligations to which the data exporter is subject by virtue of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

3                    Third-party beneficiaries

(a)                Data subjects may invoke and enforce these Clauses, as third-party beneficiaries, against the data exporter and/or data importer, with the following exceptions:

(i)                  Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, Clause 6, Clause 7;

(ii)                 Clause 8 – Clause 8.5 (e) and Clause 8.9(b);

(iii)               Clause 9 – Not applicable;

(iv)               Clause 12 – Clause 12(a) and (d);

(v)                 Clause 13;

(vi)               Clause 15.1(c), (d) and (e);

(vii)             Clause 16(e);

(viii)            Clause 18 – Clause 18(a) and (b).

(b)                Paragraph (a) is without prejudice to rights of data subjects under Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

4                    Interpretation

(a)                Where these Clauses use terms that are defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/679, those terms shall have the same meaning as in that Regulation.

(b)                These Clauses shall be read and interpreted in the light of the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

(c)                 These Clauses shall not be interpreted in a way that conflicts with rights and obligations provided for in Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

5                    Hierarchy

In the event of a contradiction between these Clauses and the provisions of related agreements between the Parties, existing at the time these Clauses are agreed or entered into thereafter, these Clauses shall prevail.

6                    Description of the transfer(s)

The details of the transfer(s), and in particular the categories of personal data that are transferred and the purpose(s) for which they are transferred, are specified in Annex I.B.

7                    Docking clause

NOT USED

SECTION II – OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES

8                    Data protection safeguards

The data exporter warrants that it has used reasonable efforts to determine that the data importer is able, through the implementation of appropriate technical and organisational measures, to satisfy its obligations under these Clauses.

8.1              Purpose limitation

The data importer shall process the personal data only for the specific purpose(s) of the transfer, as set out in Annex I.B. It may only process the personal data for another purpose:

(i)                          where it has obtained the data subject’s prior consent;

(ii)                         where necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims in the context of specific administrative, regulatory or judicial proceedings; or

(iii)                       where necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person.

8.2              Transparency

(a)        In order to enable data subjects to effectively exercise their rights pursuant to Clause 10, the data importer shall inform them, either directly or through the data exporter:

(i)          of its identity and contact details;

(ii)         of the categories of personal data processed;

(iii)       of the right to obtain a copy of these Clauses;

(iv)       where it intends to onward transfer the personal data to any third party/ies, of the recipient or categories of recipients (as appropriate with a view to providing meaningful information), the purpose of such onward transfer and the ground therefore pursuant to Clause 8.7.

(b)        Paragraph (a) shall not apply where the data subject already has the information, including when such information has already been provided by the data exporter, or providing the information proves impossible or would involve a disproportionate effort for the data importer. In the latter case, the data importer shall, to the extent possible, make the information publicly available.

(c)         On request, the Parties shall make a copy of these Clauses, including the Appendix as completed by them, available to the data subject free of charge. To the extent necessary to protect business secrets or other confidential information, including personal data, the Parties may redact part of the text of the Appendix prior to sharing a copy, but shall provide a meaningful summary where the data subject would otherwise not be able to understand its content or exercise his/her rights. On request, the Parties shall provide the data subject with the reasons for the redactions, to the extent possible without revealing the redacted information.

(d)        Paragraphs (a) to (c) are without prejudice to the obligations of the data exporter under Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

8.3              Accuracy and data minimisation

(a)        Each Party shall ensure that the personal data is accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. The data importer shall take every reasonable step to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purpose(s) of processing, is erased or rectified without delay.

(b)        If one of the Parties becomes aware that the personal data it has transferred or received is inaccurate, or has become outdated, it shall inform the other Party without undue delay.

(c)         The data importer shall ensure that the personal data is adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purpose(s) of processing.

8.4              Storage limitation

The data importer shall retain the personal data for no longer than necessary for the purpose(s) for which it is processed. It shall put in place appropriate technical or organisational measures to ensure compliance with this obligation, including erasure or anonymisation[1] of the data and all back-ups at the end of the retention period.

8.5              Security of processing

(a)        The data importer and, during transmission, also the data exporter shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of the personal data, including protection against a breach of security leading to accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access (hereinafter ‘personal data breach’). In assessing the appropriate level of security, they shall take due account of the state of the art, the costs of implementation, the nature, scope, context and purpose(s) of processing and the risks involved in the processing for the data subject. The Parties shall in particular consider having recourse to encryption or pseudonymisation, including during transmission, where the purpose of processing can be fulfilled in that manner.

(b)        The Parties have agreed on the technical and organisational measures set out in Annex II. The data importer shall carry out regular checks to ensure that these measures continue to provide an appropriate level of security.

(c)         The data importer shall ensure that persons authorised to process the personal data have committed themselves to confidentiality or are under an appropriate statutory obligation of confidentiality.

(d)        In the event of a personal data breach concerning personal data processed by the data importer under these Clauses, the data importer shall take appropriate measures to address the personal data breach, including measures to mitigate its possible adverse effects.

(e)        In case of a personal data breach that is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the data importer shall without undue delay notify both the data exporter and the competent supervisory authority pursuant to Clause 13. Such notification shall contain i) a description of the nature of the breach (including, where possible, categories and approximate number of data subjects and personal data records concerned), ii) its likely consequences, iii) the measures taken or proposed to address the breach, and iv) the details of a contact point from whom more information can be obtained. To the extent it is not possible for the data importer to provide all the information at the same time, it may do so in phases without undue further delay.

(f)          In case of a personal data breach that is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the data importer shall also notify without undue delay the data subjects concerned of the personal data breach and its nature, if necessary in cooperation with the data exporter, together with the information referred to in paragraph (e), points ii) to iv), unless the data importer has implemented measures to significantly reduce the risk to the rights or freedoms of natural persons, or notification would involve disproportionate efforts. In the latter case, the data importer shall instead issue a public communication or take a similar measure to inform the public of the personal data breach.

(g)        The data importer shall document all relevant facts relating to the personal data breach, including its effects and any remedial action taken, and keep a record thereof.

8.6              Sensitive data

Where the transfer involves personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, genetic data, or biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or a person’s sex life or sexual orientation, or data relating to criminal convictions or offences (hereinafter ‘sensitive data’), the data importer shall apply specific restrictions and/or additional safeguards adapted to the specific nature of the data and the risks involved. This may include restricting the personnel permitted to access the personal data, additional security measures (such as pseudonymisation) and/or additional restrictions with respect to further disclosure.

8.7              Onward transfers

The data importer shall not disclose the personal data to a third party located outside the European Union[2] (in the same country as the data importer or in another third country, hereinafter ‘onward transfer’) unless the third party is or agrees to be bound by these Clauses, under the appropriate Module. Otherwise, an onward transfer by the data importer may only take place if:

(i)          it is to a country benefitting from an adequacy decision pursuant to Article 45 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 that covers the onward transfer;

(ii)         the third party otherwise ensures appropriate safeguards pursuant to Articles 46 or 47 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 with respect to the processing in question;

(iii)       the third party enters into a binding instrument with the data importer ensuring the same level of data protection as under these Clauses, and the data importer provides a copy of these safeguards to the data exporter;

(iv)       it is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims in the context of specific administrative, regulatory or judicial proceedings;

(v)         it is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person; or

(vi)       where none of the other conditions apply, the data importer has obtained the explicit consent of the data subject for an onward transfer in a specific situation, after having informed him/her of its purpose(s), the identity of the recipient and the possible risks of such transfer to him/her due to the lack of appropriate data protection safeguards. In this case, the data importer shall inform the data exporter and, at the request of the latter, shall transmit to it a copy of the information provided to the data subject.

Any onward transfer is subject to compliance by the data importer with all the other safeguards under these Clauses, in particular purpose limitation.

8.8              Processing under the authority of the data importer

The data importer shall ensure that any person acting under its authority, including a processor, processes the data only on its instructions.

8.9              Documentation and compliance

(a)        Each Party shall be able to demonstrate compliance with its obligations under these Clauses. In particular, the data importer shall keep appropriate documentation of the processing activities carried out under its responsibility.

(b)        The data importer shall make such documentation available to the competent supervisory authority on request.

9                    Use of sub-processors

Not applicable.

 

10                Data subject rights

(a)                The data importer, where relevant with the assistance of the data exporter, shall deal with any enquiries and requests it receives from a data subject relating to the processing of his/her personal data and the exercise of his/her rights under these Clauses without undue delay and at the latest within one month of the receipt of the enquiry or request.[3] The data importer shall take appropriate measures to facilitate such enquiries, requests and the exercise of data subject rights. Any information provided to the data subject shall be in an intelligible and easily accessible form, using clear and plain language.

(b)                In particular, upon request by the data subject the data importer shall, free of charge:

(i)                  provide confirmation to the data subject as to whether personal data concerning him/her is being processed and, where this is the case, a copy of the data relating to him/her and the information in Annex I; if personal data has been or will be onward transferred, provide information on recipients or categories of recipients (as appropriate with a view to providing meaningful information) to which the personal data has been or will be onward transferred, the purpose of such onward transfers and their ground pursuant to Clause 8.7; and provide information on the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in accordance with Clause 12(c)(i);

(ii)                 rectify inaccurate or incomplete data concerning the data subject;

(iii)               erase personal data concerning the data subject if such data is being or has been processed in violation of any of these Clauses ensuring third-party beneficiary rights, or if the data subject withdraws the consent on which the processing is based.

(c)                 Where the data importer processes the personal data for direct marketing purposes, it shall cease processing for such purposes if the data subject objects to it.

(d)                The data importer shall not make a decision based solely on the automated processing of the personal data transferred (hereinafter ‘automated decision’), which would produce legal effects concerning the data subject or similarly significantly affect him/her, unless with the explicit consent of the data subject or if authorised to do so under the laws of the country of destination, provided that such laws lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and legitimate interests. In this case, the data importer shall, where necessary in cooperation with the data exporter:

(i)                  inform the data subject about the envisaged automated decision, the envisaged consequences and the logic involved; and

(ii)                 implement suitable safeguards, at least by enabling the data subject to contest the decision, express his/her point of view and obtain review by a human being.

(e)                Where requests from a data subject are excessive, in particular because of their repetitive character, the data importer may either charge a reasonable fee taking into account the administrative costs of granting the request or refuse to act on the request.

(f)                  The data importer may refuse a data subject’s request if such refusal is allowed under the laws of the country of destination and is necessary and proportionate in a democratic society to protect one of the objectives listed in Article 23(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

(g)                If the data importer intends to refuse a data subject’s request, it shall inform the data subject of the reasons for the refusal and the possibility of lodging a complaint with the competent supervisory authority and/or seeking judicial redress.

11                Redress

(a)                The data importer shall inform data subjects in a transparent and easily accessible format, through individual notice or on its website, of a contact point authorised to handle complaints. It shall deal promptly with any complaints it receives from a data subject.

(b)                In case of a dispute between a data subject and one of the Parties as regards compliance with these Clauses, that Party shall use its best efforts to resolve the issue amicably in a timely fashion. The Parties shall keep each other informed about such disputes and, where appropriate, cooperate in resolving them.

(c)                 Where the data subject invokes a third-party beneficiary right pursuant to Clause 3, the data importer shall accept the decision of the data subject to:

(i)                  lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority in the Member State of his/her habitual residence or place of work, or the competent supervisory authority pursuant to Clause 13;

(ii)                 refer the dispute to the competent courts within the meaning of Clause 18.

(d)                The Parties accept that the data subject may be represented by a not-for-profit body, organisation or association under the conditions set out in Article 80(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

(e)                The data importer shall abide by a decision that is binding under the applicable EU or Member State law.

(f)                  The data importer agrees that the choice made by the data subject will not prejudice his/her substantive and procedural rights to seek remedies in accordance with applicable laws.

12                Liability

(a)                Each Party shall be liable to the other Party/ies for any damages it causes the other Party/ies by any breach of these Clauses.

(b)                Each Party shall be liable to the data subject, and the data subject shall be entitled to receive compensation, for any material or non-material damages that the Party causes the data subject by breaching the third-party beneficiary rights under these Clauses. This is without prejudice to the liability of the data exporter under Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

(c)                 Where more than one Party is responsible for any damage caused to the data subject as a result of a breach of these Clauses, all responsible Parties shall be jointly and severally liable and the data subject is entitled to bring an action in court against any of these Parties.

(d)                The Parties agree that if one Party is held liable under paragraph (c), it shall be entitled to claim back from the other Party/ies that part of the compensation corresponding to its/their responsibility for the damage.

(e)                The data importer may not invoke the conduct of a processor or sub-processor to avoid its own liability.

13                Supervision

(a)                The supervisory authority with responsibility for ensuring compliance by the data exporter with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 as regards the data transfer, as indicated in Annex I.C, shall act as competent supervisory authority.

(b)                The data importer agrees to submit itself to the jurisdiction of and cooperate with the competent supervisory authority in any procedures aimed at ensuring compliance with these Clauses. In particular, the data importer agrees to respond to enquiries, submit to audits and comply with the measures adopted by the supervisory authority, including remedial and compensatory measures. It shall provide the supervisory authority with written confirmation that the necessary actions have been taken.

SECTION III – LOCAL LAWS AND OBLIGATIONS IN CASE OF ACCESS BY PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

14                Local laws and practices affecting compliance with the Clauses

(a)                The Parties warrant that they have no reason to believe that the laws and practices in the third country of destination applicable to the processing of the personal data by the data importer, including any requirements to disclose personal data or measures authorising access by public authorities, prevent the data importer from fulfilling its obligations under these Clauses. This is based on the understanding that laws and practices that respect the essence of the fundamental rights and freedoms and do not exceed what is necessary and proportionate in a democratic society to safeguard one of the objectives listed in Article 23(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, are not in contradiction with these Clauses.

(b)                The Parties declare that in providing the warranty in paragraph (a), they have taken due account in particular of the following elements:

(i)                  the specific circumstances of the transfer, including the length of the processing chain, the number of actors involved and the transmission channels used; intended onward transfers; the type of recipient; the purpose of processing; the categories and format of the transferred personal data; the economic sector in which the transfer occurs; the storage location of the data transferred;

(ii)                 the laws and practices of the third country of destination– including those requiring the disclosure of data to public authorities or authorising access by such authorities – relevant in light of the specific circumstances of the transfer, and the applicable limitations and safeguards[4];

(iii)               any relevant contractual, technical or organisational safeguards put in place to supplement the safeguards under these Clauses, including measures applied during transmission and to the processing of the personal data in the country of destination.

(c)                 The data importer warrants that, in carrying out the assessment under paragraph (b), it has made its best efforts to provide the data exporter with relevant information and agrees that it will continue to cooperate with the data exporter in ensuring compliance with these Clauses.

(d)                The Parties agree to document the assessment under paragraph (b) and make it available to the competent supervisory authority on request.

(e)                The data importer agrees to notify the data exporter promptly if, after having agreed to these Clauses and for the duration of the contract, it has reason to believe that it is or has become subject to laws or practices not in line with the requirements under paragraph (a), including following a change in the laws of the third country or a measure (such as a disclosure request) indicating an application of such laws in practice that is not in line with the requirements in paragraph (a).

(f)                  Following a notification pursuant to paragraph (e), or if the data exporter otherwise has reason to believe that the data importer can no longer fulfil its obligations under these Clauses, the data exporter shall promptly identify appropriate measures (e.g. technical or organisational measures to ensure security and confidentiality) to be adopted by the data exporter and/or data importer to address the situation. The data exporter shall suspend the data transfer if it considers that no appropriate safeguards for such transfer can be ensured, or if instructed by the competent supervisory authority to do so. In this case, the data exporter shall be entitled to terminate the contract, insofar as it concerns the processing of personal data under these Clauses. If the contract involves more than two Parties, the data exporter may exercise this right to termination only with respect to the relevant Party, unless the Parties have agreed otherwise. Where the contract is terminated pursuant to this Clause, Clause 16(d) and (e) shall apply.

15                Obligations of the data importer in case of access by public authorities

15.1           Notification

(a)         The data importer agrees to notify the data exporter and, where possible, the data subject promptly (if necessary with the help of the data exporter) if it:

(i)                          receives a legally binding request from a public authority, including judicial authorities, under the laws of the country of destination for the disclosure of personal data transferred pursuant to these Clauses; such notification shall include information about the personal data requested, the requesting authority, the legal basis for the request and the response provided; or

(ii)                         becomes aware of any direct access by public authorities to personal data transferred pursuant to these Clauses in accordance with the laws of the country of destination; such notification shall include all information available to the importer.

(b)       If the data importer is prohibited from notifying the data exporter and/or the data subject under the laws of the country of destination, the data importer agrees to use its best efforts to obtain a waiver of the prohibition, with a view to communicating as much information as possible, as soon as possible. The data importer agrees to document its best efforts in order to be able to demonstrate them on request of the data exporter.

(c)         Where permissible under the laws of the country of destination, the data importer agrees to provide the data exporter, at regular intervals for the duration of the contract, with as much relevant information as possible on the requests received (in particular, number of requests, type of data requested, requesting authority/ies, whether requests have been challenged and the outcome of such challenges, etc.).

(d)      The data importer agrees to preserve the information pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (c) for the duration of the contract and make it available to the competent supervisory authority on request.

(e)         Paragraphs (a) to (c) are without prejudice to the obligation of the data importer pursuant to Clause 14(e) and Clause 16 to inform the data exporter promptly where it is unable to comply with these Clauses.

15.2           Review of legality and data minimisation

(a)                The data importer agrees to review the legality of the request for disclosure, in particular whether it remains within the powers granted to the requesting public authority, and to challenge the request if, after careful assessment, it concludes that there are reasonable grounds to consider that the request is unlawful under the laws of the country of destination, applicable obligations under international law and principles of international comity. The data importer shall, under the same conditions, pursue possibilities of appeal. When challenging a request, the data importer shall seek interim measures with a view to suspending the effects of the request until the competent judicial authority has decided on its merits. It shall not disclose the personal data requested until required to do so under the applicable procedural rules. These requirements are without prejudice to the obligations of the data importer under Clause 14(e).

(b)                The data importer agrees to document its legal assessment and any challenge to the request for disclosure and, to the extent permissible under the laws of the country of destination, make the documentation available to the data exporter. It shall also make it available to the competent supervisory authority on request.

(c)                 The data importer agrees to provide the minimum amount of information permissible when responding to a request for disclosure, based on a reasonable interpretation of the request.

SECTION IV – FINAL PROVISIONS

16                Non-compliance with the Clauses and termination

(a)                The data importer shall promptly inform the data exporter if it is unable to comply with these Clauses, for whatever reason.

(b)                In the event that the data importer is in breach of these Clauses or unable to comply with these Clauses, the data exporter shall suspend the transfer of personal data to the data importer until compliance is again ensured or the contract is terminated. This is without prejudice to Clause 14(f).

(c)                 The data exporter shall be entitled to terminate the contract, insofar as it concerns the processing of personal data under these Clauses, where:

(i)                  the data exporter has suspended the transfer of personal data to the data importer pursuant to paragraph (b) and compliance with these Clauses is not restored within a reasonable time and in any event within one month of suspension;

(ii)                 the data importer is in substantial or persistent breach of these Clauses; or

(iii)               the data importer fails to comply with a binding decision of a competent court or supervisory authority regarding its obligations under these Clauses.

In these cases, it shall inform the competent supervisory authority of such non- compliance. Where the contract involves more than two Parties, the data exporter may exercise this right to termination only with respect to the relevant Party, unless the Parties have agreed otherwise.

(d)                Personal data that has been transferred prior to the termination of the contract pursuant to paragraph (c) shall at the choice of the data exporter immediately be returned to the data exporter or deleted in its entirety. The same shall apply to any copies of the data. The data importer shall certify the deletion of the data to the data exporter. Until the data is deleted or returned, the data importer shall continue to ensure compliance with these Clauses. In case of local laws applicable to the data importer that prohibit the return or deletion of the transferred personal data, the data importer warrants that it will continue to ensure compliance with these Clauses and will only process the data to the extent and for as long as required under that local law.

(e)                Either Party may revoke its agreement to be bound by these Clauses where (i) the European Commission adopts a decision pursuant to Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 that covers the transfer of personal data to which these Clauses apply; or (ii) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 becomes part of the legal framework of the country to which the personal data is transferred. This is without prejudice to other obligations applying to the processing in question under Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

17                Governing law

These Clauses shall be governed by the law of one of the EU Member States, provided such law allows for third- party beneficiary rights. The Parties agree that this shall be the laws of Ireland.

18                Choice of forum and jurisdiction

(a)                Any dispute arising from these Clauses shall be resolved by the courts of an EU Member State.

(b)                The Parties agree that those shall be the courts of Ireland.

(c)                 A data subject may also bring legal proceedings against the data exporter and/or data importer before the courts of the Member State in which he/she has his/her habitual residence.

(d)                The Parties agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of such courts.

 

[1] This requires rendering the data anonymous in such a way that the individual is no longer identifiable by anyone, in line with recital 26 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and that this process is irreversible.

[2] The Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) provides for the extension of the European Union’s internal market to the three EEA States Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Union data protection legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2016/679, is covered by the EEA Agreement and has been incorporated into Annex XI thereto. Therefore, any disclosure by the data importer to a third party located in the EEA does not qualify as an onward transfer for the purpose of these Clauses.

[3] That period may be extended by a maximum of two more months, to the extent necessary taking into account the complexity and number of requests. The data importer shall duly and promptly inform the data subject of any such extension.

[4] As regards the impact of such laws and practices on compliance with these Clauses, different elements may be considered as part of an overall assessment. Such elements may include relevant and documented practical experience with prior instances of requests for disclosure from public authorities, or the absence of such requests, covering a sufficiently representative time-frame. This refers in particular to internal records or other documentation, drawn up on a continuous basis in accordance with due diligence and certified at senior management level, provided that this information can be lawfully shared with third parties. Where this practical experience is relied upon to conclude that the data importer will not be prevented from complying with these Clauses, it needs to be supported by other relevant, objective elements, and it is for the Parties to consider carefully whether these elements together carry sufficient weight, in terms of their reliability and representativeness, to support this conclusion. In particular, the Parties have to take into account whether their practical experience is corroborated and not contradicted by publicly available or otherwise accessible, reliable information on the existence or absence of requests within the same sector and/or the application of the law in practice, such as case law and reports by independent oversight bodies.

 

APPENDIX

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

              It must be possible to clearly distinguish the information applicable to each transfer or category of transfers and, in this regard, to determine the respective role(s) of the Parties as data exporter(s) and/or data importer(s). This does not necessarily require completing and signing separate appendices for each transfer/category of transfers and/or contractual relationship, where this transparency can achieved through one appendix. However, where necessary to ensure sufficient clarity, separate appendices should be used.

 

 

ANNEX I

A.        LIST OF PARTIES

 

Data exporter(s):

Name:

Safe Information Group N.V. (SIG)

Address:

Caspian Point One, Pierhead Street, Cardiff CF10 4DQ

Contact person’s name, position and contact details:

Matthew Lamb

Group DPO

Matthew.lamb@creditsafe.com

Activities relevant to the data transferred under these Clauses:

Creditworthiness checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

 

Data Controller Signature

 

 

Data importer(s):

1.      

Name:

Creditsafe USA Inc.

Address:

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, 19808, County of Newcastle

Contact person’s name, position and contact details:

Matthew Lamb

Group DPO

Matthew.lamb@creditsafe.com

Activities relevant to the data transferred under these Clauses:

Creditworthiness checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

 

 

 

Controller Signature

2.     

Name:

The Customer

Address:

As set out in the Order Confirmation

Contact person’s name, position and contact details:

As set out in the Order Confirmation

Activities relevant to the data transferred under these Clauses:

Creditworthiness checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

Signature and date:

 

 

………………………………….

Date: ……………………………

Role (controller/processor):

Controller

 

B.        DESCRIPTION OF TRANSFER


Categories of data subjects whose personal data is transferred

Consumers; Sole traders; Managing Directors, Shareholders, proxyholders and other contact persons of companies;

Categories of personal data transferred

Consumers:
-           Name, forename,

-           Date of birth,

-           address,

-           telephone number,

-           email-address,

-           telefax number,

-           mobile phone number;

-           information on financial standing incl. credit rating, hard negative criteria

Sole traders:
-           Name, forename,

-           Date of birth,

-           Trading address,

-           Business telephone number,

-           Business email-address,

-           Business telefax number,

-           Business mobile phone number;

-           information on financial standing incl. credit rating, hard negative criteria

Managing Directors, Shareholders, proxyholders and other contact persons of companies:

-           Name, forename

-           Date of birth,

-           Business address,

-           Business telephone number,

-           Business email-address,

-           Business telefax number,

-           Business mobile phone number;

-           hard negative criteria

 

Sensitive data transferred (if applicable) and applied restrictions or safeguards that fully take into consideration the nature of the data and the risks involved, such as for instance strict purpose limitation, access restrictions (including access only for staff having followed specialised training), keeping a record of access to the data, restrictions for onward transfers or additional security measures.

N/A

The frequency of the transfer (e.g. whether the data is transferred on a one-off or continuous basis).

Continuous

Nature of the processing

Creditworthiness checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

Purpose(s) of the data transfer and further processing

Creditworthiness checking, prospecting, direct marketing, know your customer checks, compliance, data verification and enhancement and other lawful business due diligence purposes.

The period for which the personal data will be retained, or, if that is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period

For so long as is necessary for the purposes for which such personal data was collected.

For transfers to (sub-) processors, also specify subject matter, nature and duration of the processing

N/A

C.        COMPETENT SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY

Data Protection Commission (Republic of Ireland)

21 Fitzwilliam Square South

Dublin 2

D02 RD28

Ireland 

 

 

ANNEX II

TECHNICAL AND ORGANISATIONAL MEASURES INCLUDING TECHNICAL AND ORGANISATIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF THE DATA

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

The technical and organisational measures must be described in specific (and not generic) terms. See also the general comment on the first page of the Appendix, in particular on the need to clearly indicate which measures apply to each transfer/set of transfers.

Description of the technical and organisational measures implemented by the data importer(s) (including any relevant certifications) to ensure an appropriate level of security, taking into account the nature, scope, context and purpose of the processing, and the risks for the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

Physical Access Control

·       All offices are secured with electronic door access control mechanisms

·       Reception staff are available during working hours to monitor visitors

·       Zoning in place (Areas of the office are restricted to certain individuals)

·       Visitor books/sign in sheets used

·       Lockable cupboards/drawers provided to store sensitive information

·       Staff given security awareness training which includes responsibility to physical security of offices

·       Where reasonable swipe card access to the office is restricted to certain working hours

·       Swipe cards are de-activated after employees have left the organisation

·       Paper waste bins are locked

·       Servers storing sensitive data are contained within physically lockable server racks

 

System/Data Access Control

·       Permission groups are created to enforce access control

·       Access is provided to data through a formal process, involving a dedicated account admin team to provision access rights (separation of duties)

·       Access requests are logged to ensure traceability of access changes

·       Access to information is role-based, where a need to access that data for their role should have been established

·       Significant changes/modifications to systems containing sensitive data are managed via a formal change management process which requires approval for system changes

·       Data encryption is used in transit and at rest (where deemed reasonable), to prevent unauthorised modification or access to data

·       Networks containing sensitive data are reasonably protected with firewalls, network and host-based intrusion detection/prevention software

·       Antivirus is appropriately used to protect information systems

·       Regular penetration tests and vulnerability scanning are performed on the relevant IT systems to test if data could be read, copied, altered or removed without authorisation

·       Appropriate action is taken to remediate findings from penetration tests and vulnerability scanning

·       Security-related events are logged and monitored to identify unauthorised access to information (Security Information and Event Management tool)

·       Network segregation – information systems are placed on separate network domains to restrict access to certain data e.g. testnet (test environment), prodnet (production environment), CSUK (UK environment)

·       Where possible sensitive data is stored separately from internet-facing systems

 

Disclosure control

·       Staff are educated around information classification and the need to apply stricter handling with information marked as sensitive

·       Emails are blocked from being sent with large file sizes to prevent unauthorised disclosure of certain sensitive information 

 

 

Schedule 2

UK Addendum

DATA TRANSFER AGREEMENT

Tables

Table 1: Parties

Start date

 

The parties

Exporter (who sends the Restricted Transfer)

Importer (who receives the Restricted Transfer)

Parties details

Safe Information Group N.V.

a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, having its statutory seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with Trade Register number 32488893, and its principal place of business at Caspian Point One, Pierhead Street, CF10 4DQ Cardiff, United Kingdom.

 

Creditsafe USA Inc.

a company incorporated in the State of Delaware under registered number 5147355 at the registered address 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, 19808, County of Newcastle

and

the Customer

 

Key Contact

Full name (optional): Matthew Lamb

Job title: DPO

Contact details including email: Matthew.lamb@creditsafe.co.uk

Creditsafe USA Inc.

Full name (optional): Matthew Lamb

Job title: DPO

Contact details including email: Matthew.lamb@creditsafe.co.uk

 

Customer:

Full name (optional): As set out in the Order Confirmation

Job title: As set out in the Order Confirmation

Contact details including email: As set out in the Order Confirmation

 

Table 2: Selected SCCs, Modules and Selected Clauses

Addendum EU SCCs:

The version of the Approved EU SCCs which this Addendum is appended to including the Appendix Information.

Date: the date of this Agreement

Reference (if any): ………………………..

Other identifier (if any): the EU SCCs as set out in Schedule 1 of this Agreement

 

Table 3: Appendix Information

Appendix Information:

The information which must be provided for the selected modules as set out in the Appendix of the Approved EU SCCs (other than the parties), and for which this Addendum is set out in:

Annex 1A: List of parties: as set out in Annex 1 of the EU SCCs (Schedule 1 of this Agreement)

Annex 1B: Description of transfer: as set out in Annex 1 of the EU SCCs (Schedule 1 of this Agreement)

Annex II: Technical and organisational measures including technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of data: as set out in Annex II of the EU SCCs (Schedule 1 of this Agreement)

 

Ending this Addendum when the Approved  Addendum Changes:

Which parties may end this Addendum as set out in Section 19:

   Importer

x Exporter

   Neither party

 

Entering into this Addendum

1.              Each party agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set out in this Addendum, in exchange for the other party also agreeing to be bound by this Addendum.

2.              Although Annex 1A and Clause 7 of the Approved EU SCCs require signature by the parties, for the purpose of making Restricted Transfers, the parties may enter into this Addendum in any way that makes them legally binding on the parties and allows data subjects to enforce their rights as set out in this Addendum. Entering into this Addendum will have the same effect as signing the Approved EU SCCs and any part of the Approved EU SCCs.

 

Interpretation of this Addendum

3.              Where this Addendum uses terms that are defined in the Approved EU SCCs those terms shall have the same meaning as in the Approved EU SCCs. In addition, the following terms have the following meanings:

Addendum:

This International Data Transfer Addendum which is made up of this Addendum incorporating the Addendum EU SCCs.

Addendum EU SCCs:

The version(s) of the Approved EU SCCs which this Addendum is appended to, as set out in Table 2, including the Appendix Information.

Appendix Information:

As set out in Table 3.

Appropriate Safeguards:

The standard of protection over the personal data and of data subjects’ rights, which is required by UK Data Protection Laws when you are making a Restricted Transfer relying on standard data protection clauses under Article 46(2)(d) UK GDPR.

Approved Addendum:

The template Addendum issued by the ICO and laid before Parliament in accordance with s119A of the Data Protection Act 2018 on 2 February 2022, as it is revised under Section 18.

Approved EU SCCs:

The Standard Contractual Clauses set out in the Annex of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/914 of 4 June 2021.

ICO:

The Information Commissioner.

Restricted Transfer:

A transfer which is covered by Chapter V of the UK GDPR.

UK:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

UK Data Protection Laws:

All laws relating to data protection, the processing of personal data, privacy and/or electronic communications in force from time to time in the UK, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

UK GDPR:

As defined in section 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

4.              This Addendum must always be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with UK Data Protection Laws and so that it fulfils the parties’ obligation to provide the Appropriate Safeguards.

5.              If the provisions included in the Addendum EU SCCs amend the Approved SCCs in any way which is not permitted under the Approved EU SCCs or the Approved Addendum, such amendment(s) will not be incorporated in this Addendum and the equivalent provision of the Approved EU SCCs will take their place.

6.              If there is any inconsistency or conflict between UK Data Protection Laws and this Addendum, UK Data Protection Laws applies.

7.              If the meaning of this Addendum is unclear or there is more than one meaning, the meaning which most closely aligns with UK Data Protection Laws applies.

8.              Any references to legislation (or specific provisions of legislation) means that legislation (or specific provision) as it may change over time. This includes where that legislation (or specific provision) has been consolidated, re-enacted and/or replaced after this Addendum has been entered into.

 

HIERARCHY

9.              Although Clause 5 of the Approved EU SCCs sets out that the Approved EU SCCs prevail over all related agreements between the parties, the parties agree that, for Restricted Transfers, the hierarchy in Section 10 will prevail.

10.           Where there is any inconsistency or conflict between the Approved Addendum and the Addendum EU SCCs (as applicable), the Approved Addendum overrides the Addendum EU SCCs, except where (and in so far as) the inconsistent or conflicting terms of the Addendum EU SCCs provides greater protection for data subjects, in which case those terms will override the Approved Addendum.

11.           Where this Addendum incorporates Addendum EU SCCs which have been entered into to protect transfers subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 then the parties acknowledge that nothing in this Addendum impacts those Addendum EU SCCs.

 

Incorporation of and changes to the EU SCCs

12.           This Addendum incorporates the Addendum EU SCCs which are amended to the extent necessary so that:

a)              together they operate for data transfers made by the data exporter to the data importer, to the extent that UK Data Protection Laws apply to the data exporter’s processing when making that data transfer, and they provide Appropriate Safeguards for those data transfers;

b)              Sections 9 to 11 override Clause 5 (Hierarchy) of the Addendum EU SCCs; and

c)               this Addendum (including the Addendum EU SCCs incorporated into it) is (1) governed by the laws of England and Wales and (2) any dispute arising from it is resolved by the courts of England and Wales, in each case unless the laws and/or courts of Scotland or Northern Ireland have been expressly selected by the parties.

13.           Unless the parties have agreed alternative amendments which meet the requirements of Section 12, the provisions of Section 15 will apply.

14.           No amendments to the Approved EU SCCs other than to meet the requirements of Section 12 may be made.

15.           The following amendments to the Addendum EU SCCs (for the purpose of Section 12) are made:

a)              References to the “Clauses” means this Addendum, incorporating the Addendum EU SCCs;

b)              In Clause 2, delete the words:

“and, with respect to data transfers from controllers to processors and/or processors to processors, standard contractual clauses pursuant to Article 28(7) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679”;

c)               Clause 6 (Description of the transfer(s)) is replaced with:

“The details of the transfers(s) and in particular the categories of personal data that are transferred and the purpose(s) for which they are transferred) are those specified in Annex I.B where UK Data Protection Laws apply to the data exporter’s processing when making that transfer.”;

d)              Clause 8.7(i) of Module 1 is replaced with:

“it is to a country benefitting from adequacy regulations pursuant to Section 17A of the UK GDPR that covers the onward transfer”;

e)              Clause 8.8(i) of Modules 2 and 3 is replaced with:

“the onward transfer is to a country benefitting from adequacy regulations pursuant to Section 17A of the UK GDPR that covers the onward transfer;”

f)                References to “Regulation (EU) 2016/679”, “Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation)” and “that Regulation” are all replaced by “UK Data Protection Laws”. References to specific Article(s) of “Regulation (EU) 2016/679” are replaced with the equivalent Article or Section of UK Data Protection Laws;

g)              References to Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 are removed;

h)              References to the “European Union”, “Union”, “EU”, “EU Member State”, “Member State” and “EU or Member State” are all replaced with the “UK”;

i)                The reference to “Clause 12(c)(i)” at Clause 10(b)(i) of Module one, is replaced with “Clause 11(c)(i)”;

j)                Clause 13(a) and Part C of Annex I are not used;

k)               The “competent supervisory authority” and “supervisory authority” are both replaced with the “Information Commissioner”;

l)                In Clause 16(e), subsection (i) is replaced with:

“the Secretary of State makes regulations pursuant to Section 17A of the Data Protection Act 2018 that cover the transfer of personal data to which these clauses apply;”;

m)            Clause 17 is replaced with:

“These Clauses are governed by the laws of England and Wales.”;

n)              Clause 18 is replaced with:

“Any dispute arising from these Clauses shall be resolved by the courts of England and Wales. A data subject may also bring legal proceedings against the data exporter and/or data importer before the courts of any country in the UK. The parties agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of such courts.”; and

o)              The footnotes to the Approved EU SCCs do not form part of the Addendum, except for footnotes 8, 9, 10 and 11.

 

Amendments to the Addendum

16.           The parties may agree to change Clauses 17 and/or 18 of the Addendum EU SCCs to refer to the laws and/or courts of Scotland or Northern Ireland.

17.           If the parties wish to change the format of the information included in Part 1: Tables of the Approved Addendum, they may do so by agreeing to the change in writing, provided that the change does not reduce the Appropriate Safeguards.

18.           From time to time, the ICO may issue a revised Approved Addendum which:

a)              makes reasonable and proportionate changes to the Approved Addendum, including correcting errors in the Approved Addendum; and/or

b)              reflects changes to UK Data Protection Laws;

The revised Approved Addendum will specify the start date from which the changes to the Approved Addendum are effective and whether the parties need to review this Addendum including the Appendix Information. This Addendum is automatically amended as set out in the revised Approved Addendum from the start date specified.

19.           If the ICO issues a revised Approved Addendum under Section 18, if any party selected in Table 4 “Ending the Addendum when the Approved Addendum changes”, will as a direct result of the changes in the Approved Addendum have a substantial, disproportionate and demonstrable increase in:

a)              its direct costs of performing its obligations under the Addendum; and/or

b)              its risk under the Addendum,

and in either case it has first taken reasonable steps to reduce those costs or risks so that it is not substantial and disproportionate, then that party may end this Addendum at the end of a reasonable notice period, by providing written notice for that period to the other party before the start date of the revised Approved Addendum.

20.           The parties do not need the consent of any third party to make changes to this Addendum, but any changes must be made in accordance with its terms.

 

Data Exporter and Data Importer Signature