Lords to hold further evidence session on data adequacy and its implications for UK-EU relations

Data adequacy allows the free flow of commercial and criminal investigation-related personal data from the EU to continue (under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Law Enforcement Directive).

Lord Ricketts, Chair of the European Affairs Committee, said:

“The free flow of data between the UK and EU is vital for trade and economic relations, and for effective law enforcement co-operation. Currently, the transfer of commercial and criminal investigation data is based on an EU adequacy decision which expires next year. Without it, maintaining data flows between the UK and the EU could become less straightforward for businesses and, therefore, have an impact on the UK economy. It could also have an impact on UK-EU security cooperation as it could lead to restrictions on the flow of data for law enforcement purposes between the UK and the EU.”

Public evidence sessions are expected to take place until June, and the Committee aims to report to the House by July 2024.

At 4.15pm, the Committee will hear from:

• Zach Meyers, Assistant Director at Centre for European Reform
• Bojana Bellamy, President of Centre for Informational Policy Leadership at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
• Neil Ross, Associate Director for Policy at techUK.

The evidence session will be available to watch live or on demand on Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster.

Questions will focus on the following themes:

• An assessment of the existing adequacy arrangement underpinning data flows between the UK and the European Union
• Possible challenges to UK-EU data adequacy regime
• Implications of a no, or disrupted, UK-EU data adequacy scenario
• Lessons learned from other countries’ experiences with the adequacy system and engagement with the European Commission’s process