Slovakia UOOU (alt)

EDPB Approves Europrivacy as First European Data Protection Seal, Issues Scientific Research Guidelines

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted guidelines clarifying personal data processing for scientific research purposes, alongside two opinions approving Europrivacy certification criteria as an EU data protection seal under GDPR Article 42(5). The guidelines identify six key factors for determining whether activities constitute scientific research under GDPR, confirm that further processing for scientific research is compatible with the original purpose without a compatibility test, and specify when data subjects' right to erasure and right to object may be restricted. EDPB also first recognized Europrivacy as a data transfer tool under Articles 42 and 46 GDPR for non-EU controllers under Article 3(2) GDPR. The scientific research guidelines are subject to public consultation until 25 May 2026.

EDPB Publishes 2025 Annual Report Featuring Helsinki Declaration

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published its 2025 Annual Report on 9 April 2025, highlighting the Helsinki Declaration on Greater Clarity, Support and Engagement as a key milestone. The report covers initiatives including five adequacy opinions (UK, Brazil, EPO), joint EDPB/EDPS opinions on the Digital Omnibus and DMA-GDPR interplay, and new guidelines on pseudonymisation, blockchain technology, DSA, and third-country data transfers. The Helsinki Declaration outlines commitments to simplify GDPR compliance, strengthen consistency, intensify dialogue, and enhance transparency with stakeholders, as well as to reinforce inter-regulatory cooperation.

EDPB Adopts Standardized DPIA Template, Public Consultation Until June 9

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has adopted a standardized Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) template accompanied by an explanatory manual, aimed at simplifying GDPR compliance and strengthening consistency across Europe. The template provides predefined fields to help organizations structure, harmonize, and clearly demonstrate their DPIA procedures, minimizing procedural errors and saving time. Use of the template is voluntary; organizations may continue using their own risk-assessment methodologies. A public consultation is open until 9 June 2026, after which national supervisory authorities will adopt the template as a standard or meta-template with which national variants must align.