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Published date: 24 January 2018

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: Stronger protection, new opportunities - Commission guidance on the direct application of the General Data Protection Regulation as of 25 May 2018 (COM(2018) 43 final)

Introduction

On 6 April 2016, the EU agreed to a major reform of its data protection framework, by adopting the data protection reform package, comprising the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replacing the twenty years old Directive 95/46/EC  (‘Data Protection Directive’) and the Police Directive. On 25 May 2018, the new EU-wide data protection instrument, the General Data Protection Regulation, ("the Regulation"), will become directly applicable, two years after its adoption and entry into force [The Regulation has been in force since 24 May 2016 and will apply as of 25 May 2018.].

The new Regulation will strengthen the protection of the individual’s right to personal data protection, reflecting the nature of data protection as a fundamental right for the European Union [Article 8 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 16 TFEU.].

Providing for a single set of rules directly applicable in the Member States legal orders, it will guarantee the free flow of pe