DP Regulation may introduce bigger fines but more flexibility for companies

The draft proposal of the EU Commission, leaked to the press at the beginning of December, proposes a General Data Protection Regulation, thus repealing EU Data Protection Directive 95/46, and a Police and Criminal Justice Data Protection Directive. The proposals include several ground-breaking changes to the current regime. If they are approved during the political process that is likely to take several years, companies can expect an easier environment to operate in, but also more severe penalties for non-compliance: up to 5% of a company’s annual worldwide turnover.

The official proposals that may differ from this draft are due to be published on 25 January 2012.

Read more about this topic in PL&B International Report, to be published next week.

PL&B have organised a roundtable on 14 February 2012 in London with ICO’s Deputy Commissioner David Smith, who will explain the implications of these proposals for companies.