Industry coalition calls for the reaffirmation of the GDPR’s risk-based approach

BRUSSELS, 29 July 2024 – Today, an industry coalition of 24 associations, including FEBIS, from multiple sectors issued a joint statement on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

Without questioning the imperative to protect personal data, the joint statement stresses the need for a paradigm shift in the current interpretation of the GDPR to revamp the risk-based approach as the guiding principle of the GDPR.

 

Echoing the European Commission’s conclusions in its second report on the application of the GDPR, we believe in the importance of enhancing the dialogue between regulators, including data protection authorities, and the industry. The focus on the harmonisation of interpretation of the existing regime is crucial to achieve a better application of the risk-based approach, balance data protection with the operational needs of businesses, and foster innovation while ensuring legal compliance.

 

With the beginning of the new EU mandate, which will be marked by the implementation of the new ‘EU digital rulebook’, it will be fundamental to ensure a sustainable model for the use of data with the necessary balance between the right to data protection  and other fundamental rights and public policy objectives, as it was conceived in the GDPR’s original spirit.

 

The full coalition includes:

 

ACCIS - Association of Consumer Credit Information Suppliers

AMICE - Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe

CEDPO - Confederation of European Data Protection Organisations

CEMA - European Agricultural Machinery Association

CoESS - Confederation of European Security Services

EACA - European Association of Communications Agencies

EAEP - European Association of E-Pharmacies

EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries

EGTA - Association of television and radio sales houses

EMMA - European Magazine Media Association

ENPA - European Newspaper Publishers' Association

EPC - European Publishers Council

ESOMAR - European Society for Opinion and Market Research

ETNO - European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association

Eurochambres

FEBIS - Federation of Business Information Services

FEDMA – Federation of European Data and Marketing

GESTE - Groupement des éditeurs de services en ligne

GSMA - Global System for Mobile Communications Association

Intergraf

La villa numeris

NME - News Media Europe

SMEunited

VDMA - Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association

 

You can read the full letter below.