By Thomas, Wine Services
Data integrity has become a critical issue for any business handling data - even more so since GDPR took effect in 2018. As experts in wine and Champagne data collection, we hold ourselves to the highest compliance standards. That's why we sought certification from Bureau Veritas, guaranteeing the reliability and integrity of the data we handle every day. Today, we're the only wine-industry company in the world to hold this certification.
What is the Data Integrity Label?
It's a certification issued by Bureau Veritas that validates the policies and procedures safeguarding an organization's data integrity. The framework ensures that the data a company collects, processes, and stores is accurate, reliable, and secure. For the wine sector - where vintage, price, and tasting data are essential - the label is a mark of trust and quality. We pursued it in 2023, alongside the launch of a new service: importer and négociant sales analysis, where reassuring both sides on confidentiality is paramount.
What the audit sets out to do
The Bureau Veritas audit evaluates how effectively our data-integrity processes are implemented. Auditors focus on several areas to confirm we meet the standard:
- Reviewing the documented information defining the certification scope.
- Technically validating the architecture and the algorithms' functionality.
- Verifying the security measures protecting the data.
- Confirming GDPR compliance for personal-data handling in Europe.
- Reviewing the audited organization's maturity and grasp of the requirements.
- Gathering the necessary information on data-management practices.
- Gauging readiness for certification.
- Assessing resource allocation ahead of the final audit.
The audit methodology
The process is strict and systematic. The Bureau Veritas team evaluates our data-management systems through evidence collected in sufficient quantity and quality:
- Interviews with staff to assess understanding of procedures.
- Observation of activities to verify controls are applied.
- Document and record review tied to data management.
- Technical tests of the information systems.
A defining feature is systematic sampling: checking a representative sample to validate a large volume of data, with a 3-5% margin of error - precise enough for sound conclusions without examining every record. Findings are documented as explanatory notes that detail any non-conformities, so we can correct gaps before certification.
Our commitment to data integrity
We first earned the label in 2023, a milestone in our commitment to data protection. As a leader in wine and Champagne data collection, maintaining high standards of data security and GDPR compliance lets our clients rely on trustworthy information to drive their commercial and marketing strategies. Through our partnership with Bureau Veritas, we keep refining our processes so every data point we collect meets the standard. Want to learn more about how we guarantee the integrity of our data? Get in touch.