ICC Alternative Standard Contractual Clauses for the Transfer of Personal Data from the EU to Third Countries

Alternative Standard Contractual Clauses for the Transfer of Personal Data from the EU to Third Countries

On December 27, 2004, the European Commission recognized a set of standard contractual clauses proposed by seven leading business associations (including ICC) as providing an “adequate level of data protection” under the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC for transferring personal data outside the EU.

The Commission’s approval means that the clauses are officially recognized as granting full protection under EU data protection law for personal data that is transferred from all Member States of the European Union. The alternative clauses give business an important additional tool to satisfy the EU’s stringent restrictions on data exports, and provide additional protections to personal data beyond those contained in the Commission’s present standard contractual clauses.

Note: These model clauses are still valid.