EU delays the review of UK adequacy decisions by six months
The European Commission proposed, on 18 March, to adopt an extension to the UK’s adequacy decisions for a period of six months until 27 December 2025.
The extension is due to the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Bill currently going through the Parliamentary process. The Bill is now awaiting the Report stage at the House of Commons and is expected to pass this spring. Once the new law has been adopted, the EU Commission will assess this new legal framework and decide on its adequacy. The European Data Protection Board will then issue its Opinion before an approval is sought from representatives of EU countries.
In the meantime, data flows can continue based on the existing adequacy decision.
Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, said: “The adequacy decisions are key to our relationship with the UK. They ensure data can flow freely and safely, which is crucial for trade, justice, and law enforcement cooperation. Our proposal will allow the Commission to assess whether to renew these decisions based on a stable legal framework, while keeping data flows to the UK uninterrupted.”
The draft decision on allowing for this extension will now be taken to the European Data Protection Board for its Opinion.