The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has been diligently working on developing a Code of Conduct for Research in compliance with Chapter 7 of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The initial draft of this Code was submitted to the Information Regulator in April 2023. Although the Code was not approved, the feedback received primarily focused on procedural and representational issues, rather than its content.
 
Following careful review and consultation, ASSAf decided to transition the Code into a voluntary POPIA Compliance Framework for Research, aimed at guiding researchers and research institutions in adhering to POPIA requirements. This Framework serves as a practical, best-practice guide for researchers and institutions, promoting data protection and privacy in research.
 
The objective of this forum is to provide an update on the progress of this Framework and encourage stakeholder engagement. Participants will have an opportunity to review its content, share insights, and offer feedback on the development of the POPIA Compliance Framework for Research.