The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is the European Union’s (EU) independent data protection authority.
Our general mission is to:
- monitor and ensure the protection of personal data and privacy when EU institutions and bodies process the personal information of individuals;
- advise EU institutions and bodies on all matters relating to the processing of personal data, on request or on our own initiative. In particular, we are consulted by the European Commission on proposals for legislation, international agreements, as well as implementing and delegated acts with impact on data protection and privacy;
- monitor new technology that may affect the protection of personal information;
- intervene before the Court of Justice of the EU to provide expert advice on interpreting data protection law;
- cooperate with national supervisory authorities and other supervisory bodies to improve consistency in protecting personal information.
Read more about Privacy and Data Protection, two fundamental rights in the EU.
The EDPS is an increasingly influential independent supervisory authority, currently headed by a Supervisor and supported by an office (secretariat) of experienced lawyers, IT specialists and administrators.
We aim to serve as an impartial centre of excellence for enforcing and reinforcing EU data protection and privacy standards, both in practice and in law.
Together with the basic requirement of independence, the EDPS’ remit includes:
- developing and communicating an overall vision, thinking in global terms and proposing concrete recommendations and practical solutions;
- providing policy guidance so as to meet new and unforeseen challenges in the area of data protection;
- operating at the highest levels and developing and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse community of stakeholders in other EU institutions, Member States, non EU countries and other national or international organisations.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 lays down the rules for data protection in the EU institutions. It also lays down the duties and powers of the Supervisor (Chapter VI) as well as the institutional independence of our supervisory authority.
For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions.