ICO Approved Criteria | Children's Code Certification | Age Appropriate Design Certification (original) (raw)

We are a UKAS accredited Conformity Assessment Body

WhAT IS the Children's code?

AGE APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE | CHILDREN'S CODE

The Children's Code or Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC) aims to keep children safe online. It puts children in control of their personal data, making the internet a safer place for them to learn, play, and explore. The Children's Code is a statutory code of practice that describes what you must do to comply with UK GDPR if your online services are likely to be accessed by children. If you aren't fulfilling the requirements of Age Appropriate Design, you aren't complying to GDPR.

HELP YOUNG PEOPLE NAVIGATE THE INTERNET

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Age Appropriate Design makes a world of difference to how children experience life online. By adhering to the Children's Code, you’ll give them the opportunity to really thrive online, and explore the amazing benefits your online services have to offer, without putting them or their personal data at risk. Getting certified as compliant by us is a fantastic way to reassure parents and regulators that children’s safety is your top priority, and gaining Earned Recognition through the only approved certification criteria means that the ICO will be confident you are serious about compliance with UK GDPR.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME?

COMPLIANCE WITH DATA PROTECTION LAW

Following the 15 standards in the Age Appropriate Design Code is key to demonstrating compliance with the law. It’s vital that you comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Serious breaches could result in severe consequences, including fines of up to 4% of your annual worldwide turnover.

UPDATE YOUR PRIVACY PRACTICES & POLICIES

Part of complying with the Children's Code is updating your practices & policies. You’ll need to demonstrate that you are acting in the best interests of children, meaning you’re committed to protecting their data, to making information available in an age appropriate way, and implementing parental controls where necessary. Refer to our ICO-approved certification criteria to see all of the standards you need to meet.

CERTIFY YOUR ONLINE SERVICES

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Reassure your customers and earn recognition from regulators by using our UK GDPR approved certification scheme. It's ideal for online retail, EdTech companies, online games, connected toys, or other for-profit online services. Our scheme proves your online environment is compliant with the AADC, showing potential customers and the ICO that you take online child safety seriously.

HOW WE CAN HELP

WHY GET CERTIFIED?

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Our AADC certification criteria has been approved by the ICO in accordance with the Commissioner’s tasks and powers under specific articles pursuant to the UK GDPR article 42(5). Getting certified under these criteria proves your commitment to safeguarding children online, in turn helping you win more business and retain users. It also signals to the ICO that your business is compliant with the Children's Code, so while they focus on prioritising their audit visits appropriately, you can focus on growing your business.

WHY ACT NOW?​

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ICO enforcement action started on 2nd September 2021. The ICO are taking a supervisory, proactive approach to businesses they consider to be high risk. Our certification criteria is UK GDPR approved so the ICO will register that you’ve been certified as compliant by us. If you’re not yet ready for audit, our panel of independent Approved Conformity Advisors will help you prepare your business for certification. Our "UK GDPR APPROVED" certification mark will give the ICO demonstrable evidence of your conformity.

Getting certified will reassure your clients that you’re a credible and compliant organisation. Your clients and end users may be unfamiliar with the Children’s Code or Age Appropriate Design, our digital badge uses the term “UK GDPR APPROVED” and links to our registry, ensuring everyone understands the significance of your certification. This will enhance your credibility, return on investment, and business growth – so your business can thrive in a world of increasingly privacy-conscious consumers.

How Do I GET Started?

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INDEPENDENT CONFORMITY ADVICE

If you need some advice prior to arranging your Certification audit, you are welcome to get in touch with an advisor of your choice depending on your requirements.

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UPDATE YOUR POLICIES

You should ensure your policies are up to date, meeting the requirements of UK GDPR and Age Appropriate Design. You can also download a copy of our standards ACCS 3 2021 Technical Requirements for Age Appropriate Design for ISS.

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GET CERTIFIED

Speak to our Business Team today to go through the free application and application review.