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GDPR Records of Processing Activities (Article 30): Template

Article 30 RoPA fields for controllers and processors — purposes, categories, recipients, transfers, retention, and security measures overview.

Published: September 2026 Compliance · GDPR 8–12 min read

Article 30 requires controllers (and processors) to maintain a Record of Processing Activities (RoPA) and make it available to the supervisory authority on request. This page is a practical template — not a sales pitch.

Related: GDPR hub · Lawful basis · DPIA.

Who needs a RoPA? Controllers and processors, with a limited SME exemption for organisations employing fewer than 250 persons — unless processing is likely to result in risk, is not occasional, or includes special-category / criminal-offence data.

Controller RoPA Columns (Template)

Column
Notes
Processing activity name
e.g. “Customer support tickets”
Purposes
Article 5(1)(b) purpose limitation
Lawful basis (Art 6)
Plus Art 9 condition if special category
Categories of data subjects
Customers, employees, prospects…
Categories of personal data
Contact, billing, usage, special category…
Recipients / processors
Link to Art 28 DPAs
Transfers / safeguards
Adequacy, SCCs, etc. (Chapter V)
Retention period / criteria
Storage limitation
Security measures (overview)
Article 32 TOMs summary

Processor Extras

Processors record categories of processing on behalf of each controller, transfers, and a general description of security measures.

How CyberSilo Helps

Replace the Spreadsheet Graveyard

Keep Article 30 records current as systems change — ready for the next authority request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RoPA mandatory?

Yes for controllers and processors, subject to the Article 30(5) SME exemption conditions.

Does RoPA replace a DPIA?

No. RoPA inventories processing; DPIAs assess high-risk processing under Article 35.

How often should RoPA be updated?

Whenever processing changes materially — new purposes, vendors, transfers, or retention rules.

GDPR hub · DPA · Retention · CSA

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