The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) today sets out his priorities for 2012 in the area of legislative consultation by publishing his strategic planning document, the Inventory. Here, the EDPS identifies issues of strategic importance that will form the cornerstones of his consultation work for 2012, while not neglecting the importance of other legislative procedures where data protection is concerned.

Peter Hustinx, EDPS: "2012 will be a very demanding year. The EDPS will face the challenge of fulfilling an ever-increasing role in the legislative procedure and at the same time guarantee high-quality and well-appreciated contributions to it with limited resources. We have therefore developed a more strategic approach to legislative consultation, which is outlined in the Inventory."

The EDPS' central mission in the field of consultation is to give advice on three main areas: the revision of the legal framework for data protection, technological developments and the Digital Agenda, and further developing the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. In addition, the EDPS has identified financial sector reform as an area of strategic importance for 2012.

Overview of the issues of strategic importance for the EDPS:

Towards a new legal framework for data protection

Revision of the EU data protection framework

Technological developments and the Digital Agenda, IP rights and Internet

Pan-European framework for electronic identification, authentication and signature

Internet monitoring (e.g. enforcement of IP rights, takedown procedures)

Cloud computing services

eHealth

Further developing the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice

EU-PNR

EU-TFTS

Border controls

Review of the Data Retention Directive

Negotiations on agreements with third countries on data protection

Financial sector reform

Regulation and supervision of financial markets and actors

In order to better fulfil his advisory role, the EDPS will consider publishing guidelines on important technical or societal phenomena that affect personal data protection (such as 'naming and shaming' practices) or recurring data protection aspects of EU legislative initiatives (such as the provisions concerning exchanges of information).

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is an independent supervisory authority devoted to protecting personal data and privacy and promoting good practice in the EU institutions and bodies. He does so by:

monitoring the EU administration's processing of personal data;

advising on policies and legislation that affect privacy;

cooperating with similar authorities to ensure consistent data protection.

(*) The Inventory forms an integrated part of the annual work cycle of the EDPS and sets out his approach in the area of legislative consultation for the upcoming year. It consists of two documents, an introductory document which sets out the EDPS strategic priorities for legislative consultation in 2012 and an annex of the relevant Commission proposals and other documents that have been recently adopted or that are programmed and require the attention of the EDPS.

The Inventory and the priorities for 2012 are available on EDPS´ website. For more information: press@edps.europa.eu

EDPS - The European guardian of data protection

www.edps.europa.eu