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

BRUSSELS, 29 July 2024 - Today, an industry coalition of 23 associations 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 data use 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
• 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

Read the full letter.