UKSSA Welcomes Revised BS EN 15713:2023 Data Destruction Standard: What It Means for Your Business
The UK Secure Shredding Association (UKSSA) has welcomed the launch of BS EN 15713:2023, a revised European standard for secure destruction of confidential material. For organisations evaluating document shredding providers, this development offers a timely opportunity to review what secure data destruction should look like in practice.
What is BS EN 15713:2023?
BS EN 15713:2023 is the British Standard for secure destruction of confidential and sensitive material. Adopted in the UK in September 2023, it replaces the previous 2009 standard and represents a major revision of best practice requirements for destroying confidential information.
The new standard is double the length of its predecessor, reflecting how significantly the information destruction industry has evolved since 2009. It covers everything from paper documents to hard drives and sets out requirements for security measures including personnel vetting, collection and transportation procedures, and destruction methods.
Why Does This Standard Matter?
For any organisation handling personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information, choosing a secure shredding provider is a matter of compliance and risk management, not just operational convenience.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), data controllers remain responsible for personal data until it is securely destroyed. Using a shredding provider that follows recognised standards helps demonstrate that your organisation has taken reasonable steps to protect data and mitigate risk.
The revised standard places emphasis on secure handling throughout the entire destruction process, including:
- How confidential material is collected from your premises
- How it is transported securely
- How it is stored prior to destruction
- How destruction is carried out and verified
Each stage presents potential risks if not managed correctly, and BS EN 15713:2023 reinforces the importance of controls at every point.
What to Look for in a Shredding Provider
When evaluating confidential shredding services, there are several factors that can help differentiate between basic services and providers that take data security seriously.
Industry Membership and Auditing
Membership of a trade body such as the UKSSA provides reassurance that a provider is independently audited and operates in line with industry best practice. UKSSA members are audited against BS EN 15713:2023 from April 2024 onwards, and you can verify membership on the UKSSA website.
Staff Vetting
The standard requires that personnel handling confidential material are properly vetted. At ShredSec, all operatives are vetted to BS7858 standard, the recognised benchmark for security screening in the UK.
Process Transparency
A reputable provider should be able to clearly explain how their shredding processes work and what standards they follow. This includes providing a full audit trail from collection to destruction, with a Certificate of Destruction issued on completion.
Destruction Standards
Ask about the shredding security level used. ShredSec shreds all documents to DIN Level 3 standard using cross-cut technology, ensuring material cannot be reconstructed.
Questions to Ask Your Shredding Provider
If you are reviewing your current arrangements or comparing providers, consider asking:
- Are you a member of the UKSSA or another recognised trade body?
- Are you audited against BS EN 15713:2023?
- How are your staff vetted and trained?
- What security level do you shred to?
- Do you provide a Certificate of Destruction?
- Can you explain your chain of custody from collection to destruction?
These questions can help you assess whether a provider offers the level of assurance required in today’s regulatory environment.
ShredSec’s Approach to Secure Destruction
At ShredSec, we provide confidential document shredding services across Suffolk and East Anglia. Our approach to secure data destruction is built on:
- Vetted staff: All operatives are vetted to BS7858 standard
- Secure processes: Documents are destroyed within 24 hours of collection
- Full accountability: Every job receives a Certificate of Destruction for your compliance records
- Flexible options: We offer both on-site shredding where documents are destroyed at your premises, and off-site shredding at our secure facility
Whether you need regular shredding for ongoing compliance or a one-off service to clear an archive, we can help.
Take Action
The launch of BS EN 15713:2023 is a reminder that secure shredding is an evolving discipline. If you have not reviewed your shredding arrangements recently, now is a good time to assess whether your current provider meets modern standards.
Contact ShredSec to discuss your requirements and request a free quote.
Published: November 2023
This article discusses the revised BS EN 15713:2023 standard announced by the UKSSA. Read the original UKSSA announcement for full details.
Contact Shredsec to discuss your shredding requirements.