Press Release: Data protection: Commission approves new standard clauses for data transfers to non-EU countries

The European Commission on 7 January 2005 approved a new set of standard contractual clauses which businesses can use to ensure adequate safeguards when personal data is transferred from the EU to non-EU countries. The new clauses, submitted by a business coalition, were to be added to those already available under the European Commission's June 2001 decision. Use of standard contractual clauses offers companies and other organisations a straightforward means of complying with their obligation, under the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive, to ensure 'adequate protection' for personal data transferred outside the EU.