ASEAN: Issued Updated Joint Guide to ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses and EU Standard Contractual Clauses

On 2 February 2024, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Digital Ministers adopted the Joint Guide to ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses and EU Standard Contractual Clauses, including new information on the personal data transfer mechanisms and legal clarifications. The Guide outlines the similarities and differences between the ASEAN and EU standard contractual clauses and includes the best practices to enable entities to comply with the data protection regulations in both jurisdictions. The ASEAN model contractual clauses and EU standard contractual clauses represent model data protection clauses that entities can use in the contractual arrangements to transfer data and ensure data protection and do not require prior authorisation from authorities.