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ASSAf POPIA Compliance Framework for Researchers and Research Institutions
Year of Publication : 2025
Language : en
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Abstract (English) : The Voluntary POPIA Compliance Framework for Research is a guidance document developed by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to support researchers and research institutions in aligning with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013. Initially conceptualised as a Code of Conduct, the Framework evolved through a four-year consultative process involving legal experts, researchers, ethicists, and regulatory stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. It was formally endorsed by the ASSAf Council in May 2025.
The Framework provides practical, user-friendly tools to promote ethical and legally sound personal data practices in research. It is structured as a voluntary, flexible, and evolving resource, designed to accommodate the diverse contexts of South African research while encouraging consistent standards across institutions.
This document aims to balance the protection of research participants’ rights with the need for data sharing in contexts such as Open Science and international collaboration. It emphasises ethical responsibility, institutional accountability, and transparent data practices as cornerstones of trustworthy and compliant research.
The Framework will be periodically updated in response to evolving technologies, research environments, and ongoing engagement with the research community.
Description : 60 pages
Contributor ORCIDs : Adams, Rachel 
; Adeleke, Fola ; Anderson, Dominique ; Bawa, Ahmed ; Christoffels, Alan ; Dladla, Thulisile ; de Vries, Jantina ; Etheredge, Harriet ; Flack-Davison, Eleni ; Mahomed, Safia ; Marks, Monique ; Mdhluli, Mongezi ; Molefe, Mapitso ; Muthivhi, Tshilidzi ; Ncube, Caroline ; Olckers, Antonel ; Papathanasopoulos, Maria ; Ramsay, Michele ; Schonwetter, Tobias ; Singh, Jerome ; Swanepoel, Carmen ; Van Wyk, Jana
; Adeleke, Fola ; Anderson, Dominique ; Bawa, Ahmed ; Christoffels, Alan ; Dladla, Thulisile ; de Vries, Jantina ; Etheredge, Harriet ; Flack-Davison, Eleni ; Mahomed, Safia ; Marks, Monique ; Mdhluli, Mongezi ; Molefe, Mapitso ; Muthivhi, Tshilidzi ; Ncube, Caroline ; Olckers, Antonel ; Papathanasopoulos, Maria ; Ramsay, Michele ; Schonwetter, Tobias ; Singh, Jerome ; Swanepoel, Carmen ; Van Wyk, JanaPublisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Citation : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2025). ASSAf POPIA Compliance Framework for Researchers and Research Institutions. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2025/113
Sponsorship : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Peer Review Status : Peer-Reviewed
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