EDPS calls Germany to take the lead in negotiating the EU DP Regulation
The European Data Protection Supervisor, Peter Hustinx, has urged the German government to take the lead in trying to ensure that the EU DP reform takes place before the elections of the European Parliament and Commission in May this year.
Speaking in Bonn, Germany on 13 January, Hustinx said: "Germany claims a special responsibility and role in the area of data protection. The new German government can tackle this subject with the necessary drive and energy and thereby gain acceptance of the German position at European level and lead Europe to a higher level of data protection. However, this will require a constructive and proactive approach in the European debate."
This surprise statement reflects the frustration many feel about the lack of progress with this legislative package due to resistance by both Germany and the UK, albeit for different reasons. The next important steps will be the meeting of the EU justice ministers 7-8 March 2014, and a plenary vote in the European Parliament due to take place this spring.
Hustinx praised the Parliament for preparing its compromise position last October, but said: “Unfortunately, there has been no comparable progress in the Council. Some Member States are still causing delays through general reservations.”
Vice President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, said on 7 January: “The Heads of State and Government committed to a ‘timely’ adoption of the new rules in October. Not much progress has been made since. But I hope that under the Greek presidency that has just started, Member States will now finally take the big decisions needed. The Commission will support the Greek government's ambitious objective to reach an agreement by the summer.”
Hustinx made his remarks at the Fourth Bonn ‘Regulation Meeting’, 13 January 2014, at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI), Bonn.
Privacy Laws & Business
Privacy Officers Network Roundtable
New trends in Germany’s data protection law
Monday, 28th April 2014, 14.00h. – 18.00h.
Host: CMS Hasche Sigle, Munich
Tuesday, 29th April 2014, 9.30h. – 17.00h.
Host: Linklaters, Munich
The objective of this Privacy Officers Network Roundtable is to enable data protection managers, lawyers and consultants in the private sector to learn from, and discuss with, German Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) how they:
-will be affected by the new German government coalition’s programme regarding data protection law and its impact on companies
-interpret Germany’s data protection law for companies engaged in international business
-interpret other laws, for example, on employment, telecommunications, marketing, and consumer issues, where they relate to data protection law
-understand future changes in the legal environment, such as the planned EU Data Protection Regulation, and their impact in Germany.