WP29 – Statement on 2016 Action Plan for the GDPR

The WP29 has recently published a statement with regards to the action plan in order to implement the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The 2016 Action Plan is based on the following four priorities, which are relevant for the tasks of the WP29 and their subgroups.

1. Building up the EDPB (European Data Protection Board) structure and its administration

The main task will be developing IT systems. The European Data Protection Supervisor and the WP29 will furthermore cooperate to set up human resources, a budget and future procedures of the EDPB.

2. Setting up the One-Stop-Shop and the consistency mechanism

In order to prepare the One-Stop-Shop several measures will be necessary, e. g. a lead DPO will have to be designated and the EDPB consistency mechanisms need to be developed.

3. Publishing guidelines for data controllers and processors

The WP29 will publish different guidelines to assist data controllers and data processors in order to fulfil their duties according to the GDPR, such as the new right to portability, “Data Protection Impact Assessment”, and the announcement of a DPO.

4. Communication around the EDPB and the GDPR

The WP29 intends to create an online communication tool, to reinforce the relationship between the EU institutions and to participate in external events to promote the new governance model.

The subgroups of the WP29 will continue fulfilling their tasks. The International Transfers subgroup for instance will carry on analyzing the judgement of the European Court of Justice concerning e.g. the Schrems case. Furthermore, they will be analyzing the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and its impact on the international data transfers once it has been released.

The WP29 will examine the 2016 Action Plan regularly in order to complete it in 2017.