Brussels, 24/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) adopted in December 2015 is just the first stage of a lengthy process and according to a declaration by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) on Tuesday 24 May, it is now important to ensure the regulation's implementation.
The exponential increase in the quality of personal data generated, analysed and monetised has sorely tested the principles governing data protection in the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights. The adoption of the GDPR therefore constitutes "One of Europe's greatest achievements in recent years and a document of which it should be proud", explained Giovanni Buttarelli, the European Data Protection Supervisor. Nevertheless, this adoption is not enough to prove that the Union " Upholds its promises … we must ensure that the GDPR is fully and effectively implemented”, Buttarelli added.
During the course of 2015, the EDPS played an advisory role by providing many different detailed recommendations to the European institutions in an effort to guarantee the appropriateness of reform. The EDPS is now focusing on the effective implementation of these rules and his work has already begun with, for example, the elaboration of a toolbox that will help EU bodies make informed decisions on data protection.
The EDPS will also continue his work by working together with the "Article 29" working group and taking action at technical and regulatory levels with regard to the main challenges involved in data protection. Finally the EDPS is also eager to guarantee that those involved in processing data are accountable and that cooperation with the independent data protection authorities is stepped up and that the right lessons are learnt from the Schrems ruling by implementing sustainable rules on data transfer. Wojciech Wiewiórowski, the deputy supervisor, asserted "Over the next two years, the EDPS will continue to cooperate closely with data protection officers … and to provide them with support and advice". (Original version in French by Maëlle Didion)