Safe Harbour: New agreement with US sorely needed

Today the European Commission issued a guidance on transatlantic data transfers in the absence of the Safe Harbour Agreement. In reaction, the EPP Group expressed its concerns about the current state of play. 

Axel Voss MEP, the EPP Group spokesperson said:

"Finally the Commission reacted to the Schrems ruling, but it took it some time. I appreciate the commitment made by the Commission to conclude negotiations with the US within three months. A new adequacy decision including a sound legal framework for the transfer of data to the US remains a key priority and provides the best solution for our companies and a less burdensome data transfer mechanism. However, the Standard Contractual Clauses and the Binding Corporate Rules are too general and they are not a real alternative solution for the immediate transfer of data, because these procedures are too time consuming. I regret that the Commission has not evaluated any encryption solutions for the transfer of data from the EU to the US.”

The EPP Group welcomed the ECJ ruling in the Schrems case, but this is a major commercial headache for many SMEs and businesses. Over 4000 businesses relied on Safe Harbour and are impacted by this ECJ ruling. This means that without an alternative legal solution in place, any business that sends data to the US from the EU can face fines or orders to stop transfers of data.

It is also our duty and responsibility towards European citizens to ensure that their data is protected adequately. Therefore an agreement with the US has to be found swiftly.