Codes of conduct are an instrument introduced by the GDPR that is intended to specify data protection requirements. Experts from the professional associations "Berufsverband der Datenschutzbeauftragten Deutschlands (BvD) e.V." and "Gesellschaft für Datenschutz und Datensicherheit (GDD) e.V." played a key role in the development of Trusted Data Processor.

By making a voluntary commitment to the "Trusted Data Processor" code of conduct, processors make it clear to the outside world that they both follow the requirements set out in the code of conduct and are subject to monitoring by a monitoring body. The monitoring body is the point of contact for complaints and regularly monitors compliance with the code of conduct.

With the approval of the code of conduct, DSZ Datenschutz Zertifizierungsgesellschaft mbH was also accredited as a monitoring body. DSZ processes the applications for voluntary commitment and handles the monitoring and processing of complaints.