Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA)
The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), signed by New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile in June 2020, is the first standalone digital economy trade agreement. South Korea acceded in 2023; China and Canada have applied to join. DEPA covers 16 modules including data flows, digital identity, electronic payments, AI governance, competition policy, and emerging technologies. It establishes rules for cross-border data flows, prohibits data localisation (with exceptions), requires personal data protection, and promotes interoperability. DEPA is seen as a template for future digital trade rules.
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Framework Domains (12)
Digital Trade Rules
Core digital trade provisions
Module 10-11: SME Cooperation and Digital Inclusion
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-10.1 | SME Digital Trade Cooperation |
| DEPA-11.1 | Digital Inclusion |
| DEPA-11.2 | Indigenous Peoples and Marginalized Groups |
Module 1: Initial Provisions and General Definitions
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-1.1 | Definitions |
| DEPA-1.2 | Objectives |
| DEPA-1.3 | Scope and Coverage |
Module 2: Business and Trade Facilitation
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-2.1 | Paperless Trading |
| DEPA-2.2 | Electronic Invoicing |
| DEPA-2.3 | Single Windows |
| DEPA-2.4 | Electronic Payments |
Module 3: Treatment of Digital Products and Related Issues
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-3.1 | Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions |
| DEPA-3.2 | Non-Discriminatory Treatment of Digital Products |
| DEPA-3.3 | ICT Products Using Cryptography |
Module 4: Data Issues
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-4.1 | Personal Information Protection |
| DEPA-4.2 | Cross-Border Transfer of Information |
| DEPA-4.3 | Location of Computing Facilities |
| DEPA-4.4 | Open Government Data |
Module 5: Wider Trust Environment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-5.1 | Cybersecurity Cooperation |
| DEPA-5.2 | Source Code |
| DEPA-5.3 | Online Safety and Security |
Module 6: Business and Consumer Trust
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-6.1 | Online Consumer Protection |
| DEPA-6.2 | Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages |
| DEPA-6.3 | Electronic Authentication and Signatures |
Module 7: Digital Identities
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-7.1 | Digital Identity Frameworks |
| DEPA-7.2 | Digital Identity Interoperability |
Module 8: Emerging Trends and Technologies
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-8.1 | Artificial Intelligence |
| DEPA-8.2 | Fintech and Regtech Cooperation |
| DEPA-8.3 | Government Procurement |
Module 9: Innovation and the Digital Economy
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-9.1 | Data Innovation |
| DEPA-9.2 | Competition Policy Cooperation |
Modules 12-16: Institutional and Final Provisions
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| DEPA-12.1 | Joint Committee and Contact Points |
| DEPA-13.1 | Transparency |
| DEPA-14.1 | Exceptions |
| DEPA-15.1 | Dispute Settlement |
| DEPA-16.1 | Final Provisions |
Maps to 625 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA)?
Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) is a compliance framework from International (NZ, Singapore, Chile, South Korea) with 12 domains and 35 controls. The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), signed by New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile in June 2020, is the first standalone digital economy trade agreement. South Korea acceded in 2023; China and Canada have applied to join. DEPA covers 16 modules including data flows, digital identity, electronic payments, AI governance, competition policy, and emerging technologies. It establishes rules for cross-border data flows, prohibits data localisation (with exceptions), requires personal data protection, and promotes interoperability. DEPA is seen as a template for future digital trade rules. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) have?
Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) has 35 controls organised across 12 domains. The largest domains are Modules 12-16: Institutional and Final Provisions (5 controls), Module 2: Business and Trade Facilitation (4 controls), Module 4: Data Issues (4 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) map to?
Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) maps to 625 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are EU Maritime Single Window Environment Regulation (EU 2019/1239) and EMSA Cybersecurity (34% coverage), USMCA Chapter 19 — Digital Trade (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) (31% coverage), EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6 / Directive 2018/1673) (31% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) compliance?
Start your Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 35 controls and track your progress.
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