--- title: Bahrain PDPL Data Retention: Guide for ERP Configuration url: https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-data-retention/ updated: 2026-10-09 publisher: BAHRAIN ERP (part of Shyphan AI Solutions Pvt Ltd) --- Compliance # Bahrain PDPL Data Retention: Guide for ERP Configuration The records and controls to consider when configuring PDPL data retention in an ERP system in Bahrain. Quick answer PDPL Data Retention in Bahrain: PDPL Article 3: personal data must not be kept in identifiable form once the purpose for which it was collected or further processed is achieved. PDPL Article 3: data kept longer for historical, statistical or scientific use must be anonymised; if that is impossible, data subject identities must be encrypted. - Order 43 of 2022 Article 2 lists regulation of data retention and disposal periods and of backup measures among technical and organizational measures. - PDPL Article 23: on a data subject's request, the controller must respond to rectify, block or erase unlawfully processed data within ten working days. - The PDPL sets no single fixed retention period; sector or other laws (e.g. commercial books, see audit-document-management) may require longer retention. - Sources checked 2026-10-09 This page is part of our Bahrain compliance series. Related topics: [PDPL Access Control](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-access-control/), [PDPL Cross-Border Data](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-cross-border-data/). Apply them in [Zoho Books](https://www.erpbahrain.com/zoho/zoho-books/), [Odoo Accounting](https://www.erpbahrain.com/odoo/odoo-accounting/) or [ERPNext Accounting](https://www.erpbahrain.com/erpnext/erpnext-accounting/), and see [all compliance topics](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/). Checked against official sources on 2026-10-09. Source links are listed on this page. Rules change, so check the latest notice from Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Authority before filing. Verified ## What the Official Sources Say - PDPL Article 3: personal data must not be kept in identifiable form once the purpose for which it was collected or further processed is achieved. - PDPL Article 3: data kept longer for historical, statistical or scientific use must be anonymised; if that is impossible, data subject identities must be encrypted. - Order 43 of 2022 Article 2 lists regulation of data retention and disposal periods and of backup measures among technical and organizational measures. - PDPL Article 23: on a data subject's request, the controller must respond to rectify, block or erase unlawfully processed data within ten working days. - The PDPL sets no single fixed retention period; sector or other laws (e.g. commercial books, see audit-document-management) may require longer retention. In Practice ## What This Means for Your ERP - Store a purpose and a retention rule per data category, and trigger review or anonymisation when the purpose ends. - Provide anonymise or encrypt-identity routines for archived data kept for statistical or historical reporting. - Add block/erase/rectify request workflow with a ten-working-day SLA tracker. - Let legal retention rules (accounting, VAT) override deletion, and record that basis on the record. Sources ## Official Sources - [Law No. (30) of 2018, Personal Data Protection Law (English text, Legislation & Legal Opinion Commission)](https://www.lloc.gov.bh/FullEn/K3018.docx) - [Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf Order No. (43) of 2022 (PDP Authority site)](https://www.pdp.gov.bh/en/assets/pdf/executive-decisions/eng/the_be_met_in_the_technical.pdf) Checked on 2026-10-09. Overview ## PDPL Data Retention in Your ERP PDPL Data Retention affects how records are captured, approved and reported in your ERP. This guide lists the records involved and the controls worth putting in place. The official rules come from Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Authority. We configure the system to what your adviser confirms. - Personal data categories - Retention periods - Archive and deletion records - Legal holds More ## Related Guides - [ERP control checklist](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-data-retention/erp-controls/) - [System configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-data-retention/system-configuration/) - [FAQ](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-data-retention/faq/) Controls ## Controls and Evidence **Controls and evidence** | Control | Evidence to keep | | Retention periods are confirmed with your adviser | Approval record, report or screenshot with date | | Deletion is controlled and logged | Approval record, report or screenshot with date | | Archived data stays protected | Approval record, report or screenshot with date | | Exceptions are documented | Approval record, report or screenshot with date | Configuration ## Settings to Review Settings to review during implementation. Exact names differ by platform. - Retention schedule - Archive process - Deletion approvals - Legal hold flags Setup ## How to Set Up PDPL Data Retention in an ERP **Setup steps** | Step | What to do | | 1. Confirm | Confirm the current requirement for PDPL data retention with Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Authority | | 2. Map records | Map personal data categories, retention periods, archive and deletion records to ERP fields | | 3. Configure | Set up retention schedule, archive process, deletion approvals | | 4. Add controls | Enable the controls above, with approvals and logging | | 5. Test | Run the scenarios below with sample data and compare with expected results | | 6. Document | Record settings, owners and the review rhythm, then train users | Testing ## Test Scenarios Before Go-Live **Test scenarios** | Scenario to test | Expected result | | Try to break this control: retention periods are confirmed with your adviser | The system blocks or flags it, and the attempt is logged | | Try to break this control: deletion is controlled and logged | The system blocks or flags it, and the attempt is logged | | Try to break this control: archived data stays protected | The system blocks or flags it, and the attempt is logged | | Try to break this control: exceptions are documented | The system blocks or flags it, and the attempt is logged | | Run the process end to end with sample data | Reports reconcile with the transactions entered | Avoid ## Common Mistakes These are the mistakes we see most often when PDPL data retention is configured in an ERP system. - Copying settings from another company without checking them - Allowing manual journals or edits after the period is closed - Leaving master data incomplete, then fixing it in reports - No named owner for reviewing exceptions each month - Not retesting after a system upgrade or rule change People ## Who Is Involved **Roles** | Role | Responsibility | | Finance or HR lead | Owns the process and reviews exceptions | | Accountant or adviser | Confirms the rule and signs off configuration | | System administrator | Maintains settings, roles and logs | | Internal or external auditor | Tests controls and evidence | Ongoing ## Review Rhythm **Suggested review rhythm** | When | Review | | Before go-live | Confirm requirements with the authority or your adviser; test with sample documents | | Monthly | Reconcile reports to filings or statements; review exceptions | | Quarterly | Review user access, approvals and changes made to settings | | After a rule change | Update configuration, retest and record the change | FAQ ## Compliance Questions - Where do these requirements come from? From official publications of Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Authority, linked on this page - Who sets the rules for PDPL data retention? The rules come from Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Authority. Always check current official sources. - What records are involved in PDPL data retention? Personal data categories, Retention periods, Archive and deletion records, Legal holds. - Can BAHRAIN ERP configure our system once rules are confirmed? Yes. We configure and test the system against the requirements your adviser confirms. - What do the official sources say about PDPL data retention in Bahrain? PDPL Article 3: personal data must not be kept in identifiable form once the purpose for which it was collected or further processed is achieved. PDPL Article 3: data kept longer for historical, statistical or scientific use must be anonymised; if that is impossible, data subject identities must be encrypted. Order 43 of 2022 Article 2 lists regulation of data retention and disposal periods and of backup measures among technical and organizational measures. - Which records does PDPL data retention involve in an ERP? Personal data categories; Retention periods; Archive and deletion records; Legal holds. - Which ERP controls support PDPL data retention? Retention periods are confirmed with your adviser; Deletion is controlled and logged; Archived data stays protected; Exceptions are documented. - Which ERP settings should be reviewed for PDPL data retention? Retention schedule; Archive process; Deletion approvals; Legal hold flags. Have More Questions? Book A Free Consultation [ Talk to Us ](https://www.erpbahrain.com/contact.html) Or, Email us at contact@erpbahrain.com ## Related Pages - [PDPL Data Retention guide](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/pdpl-data-retention/) - [All compliance topics](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/) - [Bahrain VAT Registration: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-registration/) - [Bahrain VAT Invoice Fields: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-invoice-fields/) - [Bahrain VAT Credit Notes: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-credit-notes/) - [Bahrain VAT Debit Notes: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-debit-notes/) - [Bahrain VAT Returns: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-returns/) - [Bahrain VAT Reconciliation: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-reconciliation/) - [Bahrain VAT Recordkeeping: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-recordkeeping/) - [Bahrain VAT Exempt Supplies: Guide for ERP Configuration](https://www.erpbahrain.com/compliance/vat-exempt-supplies/)