01 November 2000

Text: Commerce Dept. on New Safe Harbor Data Privacy Website

Commerce Department Under Secretary Robert LaRussa announced the opening November 1 of a new website that enables U.S. companies to sign up online to participate in the U.S.-European Union "safe harbor" data privacy framework and thus comply with EU privacy rules.

The new website is www.export.gov/safeharbor.

The safe harbor framework was developed by the Commerce Department in consultation with the European Commission. It has been officially recognized by the EU as a way for U.S. organizations to comply with the European Commission's Directive on Data Privacy, which went into effect in 1998 and would prohibit the transfer of personal data to non-European Union nations that do not meet the European "adequacy" standard for privacy protection.

The new website will list U.S. organizations that follow the safe harbor framework, and thus provide "adequate" privacy protection, as defined by the Directive.

"For U.S. companies, [safe harbor] offers a way to avoid experiencing interruptions in their business dealings with the EU or facing prosecution by European authorities under European privacy laws," according to a Commerce Department release.

Following is the text of the Commerce Department press release:

U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
Washington, D.C.
www.ita.doc.gov

Wednesday, November 1, 2000

Commerce Under Secretary Larussa
Announces Implementation of the Safe Harbor:
New Commerce Website Enables U.S. Organizations to Sign Up Online

Washington -- The Commerce Department today took an important step towards ensuring the continued growth of e-commerce trade with Europe. U.S. organizations can now sign up to the U.S.-EU safe harbor privacy framework, which enables them to comply with EU privacy rules. The new website is www.export.gov/safeharbor. By committing to seven basic principles, including notice, choice, access, and enforcement, U.S. organizations can ensure uninterrupted flow of trans-Atlantic data.

"We must give U.S. businesses all the tools they need to expand trans-Atlantic trade in today's global economy," said Commerce Under Secretary Robert S. LaRussa. "Safe harbor provides a simpler and less expensive means of complying with the EU Privacy Directive."

The ability to sign up online streamlines the process and should be particularly beneficial to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The safe harbor framework, which became officially effective today, was developed by the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the European Commission, industry and non-governmental organizations, to provide U.S. organizations with a practical means of satisfying the "adequacy" requirement under the European Directive on Data Protection. The safe harbor was officially recognized by the EU this past summer as a basis of protecting European citizens' privacy. For U.S. companies, it offers a way to avoid experiencing interruptions in their business dealings with the EU or facing prosecution by European authorities under European privacy laws.

Beginning today, U.S. companies can access the web site to learn about the safe harbor framework read the actual agreement, evaluate their needs, and sign up online.

EU organizations, in turn, can ensure that they are sending information to a U.S. organization participating in the safe harbor by viewing the online list of safe harbor organizations posted on the website. The list will contain the names of all U.S. companies that have committed to the safe harbor framework. This list will be regularly updated, so that it is clear who is assured of safe harbor benefits.

The Commerce Department will also hold a series of seminars that will help companies understand what is required to join Safe harbor, the benefits of joining, and examples of how companies have successfully used the safe harbor. Information on the seminars will be forthcoming and will posted on the website.

end text

Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.
Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov

This site is produced and maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.