Personal data can flow freely between the EU and Japan

Timelex proudly assisted the European Commission with its assessment leading to the EU adequacy decision for Japan. The decision has a huge commercial impact for European and Japanese companies (see also the press release).

Under EU data protection law, the European Commission may find that the level of data protection in a non-EU country is “adequate”. In that case, personal data can be freely transferred to that country without special contractual agreements. Before coming to such a decision, the European Commission performs a thorough assessment of the non-EU national data protection system making sure it provides adequate safeguards, similar to those offered in the EU. Timelex performed this data protection “adequacy” assessment for Japan on behalf of the European Commission. Equally, Japan recognised the EU data protection system as adequate. Personal data can therefore be transferred safely between the EU and Japan.