Avis du CEPD

Avis concernant la proposition de règlement modifiant le règlement (CE) no 1073/1999 relatif aux enquêtes effectuées par l'Office européen de lutte antifraude (OLAF), JO C 91, 26.04.2007, p. 1

The proposal relates to OLAF's operational activities because it aims to amend the Regulation which lays down the rules and constitute the legal basis for investigations, etc. The aim is to:

• Improve the effectiveness of investigations;
• Facilitate the exchange between OLAF and the various institutions concerning information about suspected wrongdoings, at both EU and national level; and
• Guarantee the rights of persons implicated in an investigation, including their right to data protection and privacy and make procedural guarantees stronger.

The EDPS agrees with the significance of the goals and objectives pursued by the proposed amendments, especially regarding the procedural guarantees afforded to individuals. However, when it comes to personal data protection, the proposal could be further improved without jeopardising the objectives that it pursues. Concerns relate to the right of information, access and rectification as well as exchanges of personal information. The EDPS also proposes measures regarding the confidentiality of whistleblowers.

Avis concernant la proposition de règlement modifiant les instructions consulaires communes adressées aux représentations diplomatiques et consulaires de carrière, en liaison avec l'introduction d'éléments d'identification biométriques et de dispositions relatives à l'organisation de la réception et du traitement des demandes de visa (COM (2006) 269 final), JO C 321, 29.12.2006, p. 38

Regarding the cooperation between consular posts and embassies of the Member States, the EDPS emphasises the need to guarantee data security, which can prove difficult in some third countries. When the processing of visa applications (including collection of biometric identifiers) is outsourced to a private company, the EDPS stresses the need for it to be located in a place under diplomatic protection.

Avis sur la proposition modifiée de règlementdu Conseil modifiant le règlement (CE) no 1030/2002 établissant un modèle uniforme de titre de séjour pour les ressortissants de pays tiers, JO C 320, 28.12.2006, p. 21

The EDPS supports the equal treatment of European citizens and third country residents whereby they have access to electronic services, such as e-government services. However, he recommends postponing the insertion of an additional chip for such services until a complete impact assessment study has been conducted.

Avis sur le projet de règlement du Conseil portant fixation de la forme des laissez-passer délivrés aux membres et aux agents des institutions, JO C 313, 20.12.2006, p. 36

The EDPS also stresses that the interoperability of the system with third countries' systems must not breach the purpose limitation principle of the processing of data. Moreover, the opinion also addresses the question of access by third countries.

Avis concernant la proposition de décision-cadre du Conseil relative à l'organisation et au contenu des échanges d'informations extraites du casier judiciaire entre les États membres (COM (2005)690 final), JO C 313, 20.12.2006, p. 26