European Commission approves personal data safeguards.

AuthorSwartz, Nikki
PositionNews, Trends & Analysis - Brief Article

The European Commission has approved a new set of standard contractual clauses businesses can use to ensure adequate safeguards when personal data is transferred from European Union (EU) countries to non-EU countries.

The new clauses will be added to those already available under the commission's June 2001 decision. Use of standard contractual clauses offers organizations a straightforward means of complying with their obligation under the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive to ensure "adequate protection" for personal data transferred outside the EU.

A coalition of business associations led by the International Chamber of Commerce negotiated the new standard contractual clauses with the commission and the committee of EU data protection authorities over the last three years. Companies believe that some of the new clauses, such as those on litigation, allocation of responsibilities, and auditing requirements, are more business-friendly. Yet they provide for a similar level of data protection as those of 2001, and data protection authorities are given more powers to...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT