The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has adopted a landmark statement aimed at making GDPR compliance more accessible and practical. The Helsinki Statement on Enhanced Clarity, Support and Engagement is particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized organizations. It was adopted at a high-level EDPB meeting held in Helsinki on July 1–2.

The new initiative reinforces a fundamental rights-based approach to digital innovation and competitiveness. It calls for simpler tools, clearer guidance, and stronger cooperation between regulators and stakeholders.

“The EDPB is committed to helping organisations in achieving GDPR compliance with greater ease and efficiency,” said EDPB Chair Anu Talus. “By placing fundamental rights into the core of their digital transformation, organisations can ensure that technological advancements and the respect for European values go hand in hand.”

The Statement outlines a comprehensive support package. That includes ready-to-use templates, a data breach notification form, and practical resources such as checklists, FAQs, and guides. These tools aim to reduce the burden of compliance and provide straightforward guidance aligned with the GDPR’s risk-based approach.

To ensure consistency, the EDPB also plans to collect and publish national Data Protection Authorities’ (DPAs) positions on key issues. This includes a case-law-style digest, as well as joint guidelines, reviews of existing guidance, and coordinated enforcement strategies.

Another significant step is the EDPB’s commitment to cross-regulatory cooperation, recognizing the increasingly complex digital regulatory environment. The Board will invite other regulators to participate in relevant meetings and co-develop guidance that aligns overlapping legal frameworks, such as data protection and AI governance.

The Helsinki Statement builds on the progress made since the 2022 Vienna Statement on Enforcement Cooperation. It also marks a strategic shift in how the EDPB engages with regulated entities and fellow regulators. With this renewed framework, the EDPB aims to ensure that strong data protection is not a barrier—but a foundation—for responsible innovation in Europe.

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