China: Adopted Guidelines for the Filing of Standard Contracts for the Transfer of Personal Information Abroad (First Edition)

On 30 May 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China adopted the Guidelines for the Filing of Standard Contracts for the Transfer of Personal Information Abroad (First Edition). The Guidelines set out the procedure and necessary materials for using the standard contractual clause (SCC) mechanism that allows certain organisations to export personal information abroad. According to the Guidelines, SCCs should be filed with the relevant provincial cyberspace authority within 10 days of the contract coming into force. A decision is set to be issued by the responsible authority within 15 working days, which can either approve or deny a filing. In case of a denial, the authority provides reasons for the denial.