CIPM emphasizesaccountability and evidencewhen personal data is destroyed by third parties. A certificate of destruction provides documented proof that data was securely and irreversibly destroyed in accordance with contractual and legal requirements.
While audits, on-site destruction, and asset inventories can support assurance, they are not always practical or required. The certificate serves as the formal record demonstrating compliance with retention and disposal obligations. Without such documentation, the organization remains exposed to regulatory and legal risk if destruction is later questioned.