Joint statement on UK implementation of EU Data Protection Regulation

24/10/2016

RCUK has co-signed a statement from the research community to inform the implementation of the new EU Data Protection Regulation to better support research. All seven research councils, and several other research organisations, are also signatories.

Some of the rules concerning research have been delegated to Member States so must be implemented in the UK before they can apply across the EU.

Summary of the Statement:

“Personal data is a vital resource for research that can save and improve lives. The Data Protection Regulation provides a strong basis for the safe use of personal data in research. National governments now have a crucial role to play in implementation. If the Data Protection Regulation or something similar is implemented in the UK, the UK Government should:

introduce clear laws for research with safeguards and exemptions that support research while respecting people’s privacy;
work across government departments and with the research community to ensure that laws and guidance are practical, proportionate to any risks, and build on current good practice; and
work with other countries to promote harmonisation and compatibility between national systems where possible, to facilitate cross-border research.”

Read the full UK Data Protection Regulation statement

Read the full EU Data Protection Regulation statement

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Further information

Contact:
RCUK Communications Team
Tel: 01793 444387 or email: communications@rcuk.ac.uk