May 10, 2016

On 15 December 2015, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission reached agreement on the new data protection rules, establishing a modern and harmonised data protection framework across the EU.  The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties committee and the Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council then approved the agreements.  The agreements were also welcomed by the European Council of 17-18 December as a major step forward in the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy.

On 8 April 2016 the Council adopted the Regulation and the Directive, and on 14 April 2016 the Regulation and the Directive were adopted by the European Parliament.

On 4 May 2016, the official texts of the Regulation and the Directive were published in the EU Official Journal in all official languages.

While the Regulation will enter into force on 24 May 2016, it will not apply until 25 May 2018.  The Directive enters into force on 5 May 2016 and EU Member States have to transpose it into national law by 6 May 2018.  To access the Official Journal, click here.