Regulation 45/2001

The EDPS presents its new brochure entitled Shaping a Safer Digital Future to inform the public on our role, tasks, and responsibilities as the European Union’s independent data protection authority. The brochure also includes a snapshot of the EDPS 2020-2024 Strategy. 

We look forward to sharing the brochure in all the official languages of the EU in due course.

2018 was a busy year for the EDPS and a pivotal year for data protection in general. Under new data protection rules, the rights of every individual living in the EU are now better protected than ever. Public awareness about the value of online privacy is at an all-time high.

The 2018 Annual Report provides an insight into all EDPS activities in 2018. Chief among these were our efforts to prepare for the new legislation. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became fully applicable across the EU on 25 May 2018 and new data protection rules for the EU institutions are also now in place. Working with the new European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the EDPS aims to ensure consistent protection of individuals’ rights, wherever they live in the EU.

Full text of Annual Report (HTML):     EN

Summary (HTML):     DE     EN     FR

Letter addressed to the DPOs of the EC, EIB, and EIF on implications of GDPR on investigative activities of EU institutions, notably regarding anti-fraud, competition and trade.

The draft EU GDPR includes several novelties that affect the role of the DPOs within the EU and the EDPS has therefore reviewed its position paper on the role of the DPO.

The revised paper intends to provide guidance for DPOs in their new role building on the principles and recommendations contained in the original version from 2005.

[NOTE: On 18 December 2025, the EDPS published a Supervisory Guidance on the Role of the Data Protection Officers in EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. This guidance updates and replaces the 2018 Position Paper.]

Prior-checking Opinion regarding a procedure for avoiding conflicts of interest at the European Ombudsman (EDPS case 2017-1064)