What is ICO Data Protection Registration?

Most UK organisations that process personal data must register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and pay an annual data protection fee. The fee is tiered: £40 for micro-organisations (turnover under £632,000 or fewer than 10 staff), £60 for small and medium businesses and £2,900 for large organisations and public authorities. Certain categories of organisation — including some not-for-profits and businesses processing data solely for personal use — are exempt. Failure to register when required is a civil offence; the ICO can issue a maximum fine of £4,350. Registration appears on the public ICO register, which clients and procurement teams increasingly check.