Bio-Compliance: Bioland's Success Story with heyData

Bioland is the largest association for organic farming in Germany regarding membership. It only accepts companies from Germany and South Tyrol, making it the most regional of the major organic associations. More than 8,700 organic companies in agriculture, beekeeping and viticulture, and 1,400 partner companies in processing and trade belong to the community of values, which works according to strict guidelines. These go beyond the legally prescribed criteria for the EU organic label. Bioland stands for transparent sourcing of raw materials and food, as well as for regional supply chains. The association aims to make organic food possible for everyone and protect our livelihoods through responsible agriculture and food management. To achieve 100% organic status, the association is supported by a team of over 300 dedicated employees who work every day for the interests of Bioland members and partners.

As part of Bioland's legal department, Sandra ensures compliance with compliance and data protection guidelines. Her responsibilities include managing the complex challenges associated with the large number of members, different data sources and the need for simplified compliance processes. She pays particular attention to Bioland's operational procedures, which reflect its core values in handling sensitive data and meet compliance standards.

After the first few months of working with heyData, we contacted Sandra to ask about her experiences with our solution.

“At Bioland, data protection and compliance are not just boxes to check; they are embedded in our core values. Trust and integrity in all areas of our operations are non-negotiable.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Bioland Legal Department

Sandra emphasizes: “Monitoring data protection for the entire association presents significant challenges and requires considerable time and resources.” Bioland faced several compliance challenges, in particular navigating complex regulations and integrating compliance into its diverse operational areas.

The association is very diverse. Different operations, departments, and partners have different needs, and the association wants to adapt to these in the best possible way.

“With heyData, we have opted for a new organizational and conceptual structure with a new level of execution.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

Bioland took an important step in the association's development when it recognized the need for a more structured and conceptually different approach to managing data protection within the association

“When we found a system like heyData that met our needs, we knew it was a perfect fit for us. We were pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the platform!”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

Bioland's decision to use heyData was driven by the platform's ability to address its specific challenges and effectively optimize operations. heyData's centralized nature and the ability to seamlessly integrate everything from employee information to signed documents into the platform made it the ideal solution for the Bioland Association's diverse requirements. Sandra expresses her satisfaction: “The platform has really impressed us with how it supports our work. The convenience of having everything in one place, from employee administration to handling signed documents and administrative tasks, stood out as a deciding factor.”

These solutions from heyData not only meet Bioland's current requirements but also lay the foundation for sustainable operational efficiency.

“What sets heyData apart is its responsiveness and rapid implementation.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

• Organizational structure and employee assignment: The heyData platform provided a comprehensive overview of the entire company structure, making it easier to assign responsibilities, documents, and training to its employees.
• Speed and efficiency: The solution's ability to quickly address urgent compliance needs within 24 hours and deliver tangible results within that timeframe is a great support.
• Holistic support and advice: The availability of comprehensive advice and support in various areas was crucial to the decision-making process.

“The expert advice service that comes with the heyData platform is an amazing asset for us. The convenience of having a short-term option for coordination and advice has significantly improved our operations.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

• Comprehensive understanding and pragmatic approach
• Effective communication and solution-oriented discussions
• Optimized internal communication support

“heyData stands out as a high-quality platform that is both pragmatic and solution-oriented.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

Bioland has taken a practical approach to identifying areas for improvement and implementing actionable solutions. heyData's quick grasp of Bioland's operations supported this hands-on problem-solving approach, which emphasized practical implementation rather than theoretical advice. The platform not only offered customized solutions but also legal support that met Bioland's specific needs. Their effective communication and solution-oriented methods ensured prompt resolution of concerns, avoiding lengthy discussions or typical vague legal responses. This emphasis on practical solutions aligned well with Bioland's need for quick and understandable solutions that apply to all.

The availability of structured training and comprehensive legal support from heyData became a decisive factor for Bioland, especially when it came to overcoming the challenges of managing subsidiaries independently. Sandra emphasizes the benefits, stating, “The combination of well-organized processes, structured training, and legal support in various areas provided by heyData was beneficial, especially when it came to overcoming the significant challenge of independently managing all of Bioland's subsidiaries.”

One notable impact was the significant reduction in workload for the Bioland team, coupled with a significant improvement in the quality of their data protection practices.

Bioland experienced tangible benefits such as faster response times to concerns and better adaptability to changing data protection requirements. Overall, the versatile support of the heyData solution strengthened Bioland's operational efficiency by understanding and optimizing its processes, ultimately leading to a more compliant work environment.

“The legal support for the platform is truly impressive. Working closely with Regina Frey, head of the Privacy Success team at heyData, has made a huge difference. Her quick grasp of our challenges and pragmatic approach are invaluable.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

• Consolidation of internal processes
• Improved coordination and increased quality
• Impact on data protection training
• Increased data protection awareness in the company
• Reduced workload

“It is a great relief to know that I have a team of experts at my side to effectively coordinate the various aspects of compliance, within a platform that integrates documentation, training, audits and supplier risk management.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

The heyData solution helped Bioland simplify compliance tasks by centralizing them. Everything from employee management to document storage to administration became accessible and manageable from a single page, improving coordination across the organization. This resulted in better quality control and increased efficiency.

Reorganizing data protection training for employees has helped Bioland to standardize training across the organization and ensure a consistent understanding and awareness of data protection regulations. Sandra noticed the positive impact: “After using heyData, employees are even more aware of compliance.” This has led to more inquiries, a positive change in employee behavior, and a proactive approach to resolving non-compliance.

Overall, the results included a significant reduction in workload, optimized administration through a centralized platform, and improved coordination in compliance – which had a positive impact on overall data protection and operational efficiency within the association.
 

“heyData has brought significant efficiency by seamlessly coordinating various aspects and making work significantly easier. I firmly believe that it has also improved the overall quality of Bioland's operations.”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland

Based on the current experience, Bioland is eagerly anticipating the future situation in which almost all members and employees are actively involved in the solution of heyData, and emphasizes its interest in observing the transformation in the functionality of the platform in the future.

Currently, heyData continues to support Bioland by providing indispensable data protection advice for their collaboration with partners, regulatory authorities, and various other associations. The partnership involves close cooperation, with heyData providing comprehensive guidance in all areas where compliance may come into play.

As the association continues to grow, we are committed to helping Bioland meet future compliance challenges, particularly in terms of employee involvement and coordination.

“Beyond just a platform, the personalized solution, legal advice, and quick support from heyData are real game changers for us at Bioland and take our work to a whole new level!”

 

Sandra Scherzer
Legal Department at Bioland