"Safe Mission Data" system - EP

Opinion of 24 May 2012 on a notification for Prior Checking concerning the "Safe Mission Data" system, European Parliament (Case 2012-0105)

The purpose of collecting data in the "Safe Mission Data" system (SMD) of the European Parliament (EP) is to provide support to delegations outside the three places of work of the EP where a rapid and effective reaction is needed in emergency situations.
The key issue of the EDPS Opinion evolves around the fact that one of the very reasons to establish the SMD was the processing of health data to protect the vital interests of the data subject. In principle, the processing of health data is prohibited, but the consent of the data subject is one of the exceptions allowing for such processing.
The EDPS considers that this exception applies to the SMD: the health data processed in that context is provided by the data subjects on a voluntary basis by means of a collection form, which explicitly notes that there is no obligation to provide any such information. In his Opinion, the EDPS also notes the importance of keeping the health data up to date and accurate