Brussels, BELGIUM – Ahead of the European Parliament Plenary vote on the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) procedural rules, industry associations are urging the European Parliament to take a practical approach. The focus is on maintaining the balance of public interests and upholding basic GDPR principles.
In a joint letter issued by six industry associations, concerns were raised about potentially undermining fundamental GDPR principles during the upcoming vote. Claudia Canelles Quaroni, CCIA Europe’s Senior Policy Manager, emphasized the importance of preserving key aspects of the GDPR. Quaroni stated, "Co-legislators need to ensure that basic GDPR principles such as the primary role of the lead supervisory authority and the protection of confidentiality are upheld to guarantee streamlined and efficient cross-border procedures."
Furthermore, there is a call for Members of the European Parliament to approach GDPR investigations in a balanced manner. Quaroni highlighted the need to avoid viewing these investigations as adversarial processes and instead suggested finding a middle ground that considers the interests of all parties involved. She stated, "MEPs should avoid interpreting GDPR investigations as adversarial processes and instead adequately balance the involvement of parties under investigation and complainants based on their interests and the repercussions each of them face."
As the European Parliament prepares to vote on a negotiating mandate, the industry is hopeful that a balanced and practical approach will be adopted. Quaroni emphasized that while a workable negotiating mandate is essential, it should not compromise the integrity of data protection rules and processes. She concluded, "The European Parliament has the opportunity of adopting a balanced and workable negotiating mandate, but this cannot come at the expense of reinterpreting data protection rules and processes."
