As digital regulation tightens across the EU, particularly under frameworks like the EU Data Act, companies working with connected products and IoT data face increasing pressure to stay compliant. While the idea of investing in compliance infrastructure might feel costly, the cost of non-compliance is far higher—both financially and reputationally.
At Steelbridge Oy, we help companies understand this balance. Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Cost of Compliance
Based on a typical market scenario, here’s what a company might expect to invest yearly (or as a one-time effort) to ensure full compliance:
Key Cost Categories:
| Category | Estimated Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Non-Compliance Penalty | €500K+ or up to 4% of revenue | GDPR-style penalties for failing to comply with the Data Act |
| Internal Platform Development | €100K – €500K | The cost of building and maintaining your own compliance platform |
| Internal Compliance Management | €62K | A dedicated project manager to oversee ongoing compliance |
| System Upkeep | €24K | Cloud services, integrations, and infrastructure maintenance |
| Legal Services | €6K | At least 3 months of regulatory legal consultation |
Total Annual Cost Estimate: ~€292K
What Happens If You Don’t Invest in Compliance?
Non-compliance isn’t just a legal risk—it’s a business and innovation risk. According to industry insights:
Missed Opportunities:
- €60K lost revenue yearly from not monetizing unused IoT data (e.g., €500/feed x 10 customers)
- Brand damage and reputational risk from data misuse or lack of transparency
- Lack of differentiation in a market that increasingly rewards companies who prioritize ethics and compliance
What You Gain by Getting It Right
New Revenue Streams
Monetize data in a compliant way. For example, offering secure IoT data feeds to partners can open up entirely new business models.
Competitive Advantage
Position your brand as compliant, transparent, and innovative—a major win in industries under heavy regulation or scrutiny.
Risk Mitigation & Brand Protection
Avoid massive fines, operational disruptions, and brand-damaging incidents. Staying compliant isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a trust issue.
The Bottom Line
Yes, compliance has a cost. But non-compliance has an even bigger one—and it’s not just about money.
At Steelbridge, we believe compliance should fuel business growth, not slow it down.
Our platform is designed to minimize your risk, reduce your cost of compliance, and unlock new data-driven opportunities—especially for companies navigating the challenges of the EU Data Act.
Want to understand your compliance ROI?
Let’s talk to explore how we can support your compliance journey. Contact us through contact form on the site or send a message to serhad.akkoc@steelbridge.fi .
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