Following the European Commission's adoption of the fourth 'omnibus' simplification package, aimed at simplifying rules for small companies and mid-caps, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) has issued a statement on the proposed changes to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The statement from CCIA Europe's Privacy and Safety Lead, Claudia Canelles Quaroni, highlights concerns about the effectiveness of these changes. "Easing GDPR requirements for small and mid-sized companies may offer limited relief, but this minor change falls far short of addressing the deeper structural issues that plague the EU’s data protection framework. Without further adjustments, enforcement and implementation will remain weak."
Quaroni also noted that "at best, today’s proposal will ease GDPR burdens for just 0.2% of EU companies. While well-intentioned, its limited scope means it won’t meaningfully strengthen Europe’s dwindling digital competitiveness. These are cosmetic fixes, not systemic solutions."
She emphasized the need for consistent implementation across Europe: "Businesses need consistent, harmonised implementation of the GDPR. Yet seven years after its entry into effect, this still seems like wishful thinking. To guarantee uniform data protection rules across the European Union, three improvements are essential: align GDPR implementation across all EU legislation for greater coherence, reinforce the one-stop-shop mechanism, and prevent fragmentation in Member-State implementation."
CCIA Europe hopes that today's package marks a step towards broader improvements in GDPR and related frameworks. The association calls for legislative simplification, further guidance from the Commission, and stronger cooperation among Member States to ensure a more uniform interpretation of rules.
For additional suggestions on improving GDPR compliance and enforcement mechanisms within EU jurisdictions or more information about CCIA Europe's response to these developments can be found through their official communications.