DPAs to issue GDPR guidance by the end of December

EU Data Protection Authorities are promising to issue the first parts of their guidance on the EU Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) soon after their plenary meeting on 12-13 December. Guidance can be expected on Data Protection Officers (DPOs), data portability and designation of lead DPA, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chair of the Article 29 Working Group said today. She invited companies to give input to the group's 2017 action plan.

Speaking at the Forum Europe conference in Brussels, Věra Jourová, EU Commissioner for Justice, said that she fully supports the Article 29 Group in its work. "Guidelines need to be put for consultation for a reality check. I want to have an open dialogue with business. We will organize another round table with business next week to find out how they are getting ready - we will consult with industry. I want to clarify the concept of DPO and risk assessment etc. By mid-2017, more guidelines will be issued."

Bruno Gencarelli, Head of the Data Protection Unit at the European Commission, announced that the European Parliament had just agreed the so called Umbrella Agreement about data transfers between US and EU law enforcement agencies. "This is a very important development", he said. He continued to state that the College of Commissioners will on 11 January next year adopt a communication about their strategy for international data transfers of personal data, and how the EU is thinking of developing the different tools involved.

Read more about this topic in the next issue of PL&B International Report, to be published in the week beginning 12 December.