About EFDPO
Working together is success
The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) marks a milestone in data protection and is used as a blueprint for similar pieces of legislation across the globe. In view of the GDPR’s impact, the representation of our interests as national associations of data protection officers (DPOs) at the European level is becoming increasingly important. This applies particularly in the context of the GDPR review process, starting in 2020. Thus, we need to ensure that our concerns are heard and considered by European regulators. We are convinced that the intensification of our cooperation and the creation of a strong network between European DPO organizations will lead to success and strengthen data protection as a competitive and locational advantage for Europe.
The EFDPO was founded in Berlin on 7 June 2019. Founding members are national associations for data protection officers from Austria, France, Germany, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece and Liechtenstein. The main objectives are to represent the interests of data protection officers in Brussels.
Among other things, the EU federation wants to support the establishment of an EU certification standard for data protection officers.
We see data protection officers as key experts in companies and institutions, they ensure the entrepreneurial capacity to act under the GDPR and, at the same time, ensure that consumer and civil rights are observed with regard to data protection. This also relieves the burden on national data protection supervisory authorities.
The scope of the EFDPO is not limited to data protection officers, but also takes into account the interests of other emerging professions in data protection, such as the data protection auditor or the data protection coordinator.
Become a member of EFDPO!
If your association wants to benefit from our mutual exchange of information, an increased awareness as part of our network, regular dialogue with supervisory authorities, joint events and conferences with attractive discounts for your members, find out more about our membership.

News from EFDPO
EFDPO held General Assembly in Berlin
First General Assembly of the EFDPO On May 12th the General Assembly of the EFDPO brought together representatives from the member associations in Berlin and online. The discussion made visible the recent successful collaboration in the interest of the DPOs in Europe....
Privacy Symposium in Venice: 5-7th April 2022
The EFDPO encourages you to attend the first edition of the Privacy Symposium in Venice, on April 5-7 2022! It provides a great opportunity to meet your peers, top level experts and authorities, as well as to discover the latest changes and upcoming developments in the data protection domain.
Data Protection Day 2022
To celebrate the Data Protection Day we publish an impressive speech by Prof. Niko Härting who has been consistently listed among the best lawyers in IT law in the Best Lawyers Ranking since 2014.
Successful UDPO Congress in Paris
On July 6 and 7, the 3rd European congress of the UDPO (Union des DPO, French association of DPOs) took place. The congress took place in the prestigious Marriott Hotel located on the Champs Elysées in Paris.
Jun 24: EFDPO OPEN TALKS – FREE ONLINE FORMAT
EFDPO Open Talks One of EFDPO’s goals is to create a European network of national associations for …
1st International Data Protection Officers Day
May 25, 2021 is the 1st International Data Protection Officers Day. It is initiated by the European Federation of Data Protection Officers (EFDPO) on the occasion of the 3rd birthday of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). With the GDPR coming into force on...
Comments on the EDPB’s draft “Guidelines 10/2020 on restrictions under Article 23 GDPR”
The EFDPO appreciates the opportunity to present its comments to the recently published EDPB draft Guidelines 10/2020. General comments The problem of instructions addressed to national parliaments In general, we very much welcome that EDPB publishes its views on the...
Comments on the EDPB Recommendations 01/2020 on measures that supplement transfer tools to ensure compliance with the EU level of protection of personal data
The European Federation of Data Protection Officers (EFDPO) welcomes the recently adopted Recommendations 01/2020 on measures that supplement transfer tools to ensure compliance with the EU level of protection of personal data issued by the EDPB (“Recommendations”)...
Comments on the EDPB Guidelines 07/2020 on the concepts of controller and processor in the GDPR
We welcome the opportunity to present our comments to the recently published EDPB draft Guidance on Controller and Processor. In general, we are pleased to note that despite the fact that all the attention is mainly focused on the fight against the global pandemic...
Schrems II: DPOs left alone with unsolvable dilemmas
Recently, great attention has been given to the “Schrems II” case. In a position paper the EFDPO draws attention to some aspects of this decision and the subsequent actions of public authorities that European DPOs have to deal with.