Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn
On April 12, 2017, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced that the newly launched Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework is accepting self-certifications to provide companies a mechanism to comply with Swiss data protection requirements when transferring personal data from Switzerland to the United States in support of transatlantic commerce. For more information, visit www.privacyshield.gov.
The Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework replaces the U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework used by approximately 4,000 U.S. companies and aligns with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield to help companies to streamline compliance efforts in both Switzerland and the European Union. Launched on August 1, 2016, the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework currently includes nearly 2,000 U.S.-based participants.
“The Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework supports U.S. economic growth by ensuring that Swiss and American businesses can transfer data and deliver innovative online products and services under enhanced data protection,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross stated in the announcement. “We look forward to working with our Swiss counterparts as we implement the Framework together.”
Organizations that intend to self-certify to the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework should review the requirements in their entirety and update their privacy policies to align with the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Requirements before submitting a self-certification to ITA. The Privacy Principles apply immediately upon certification. For more information, please see the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield FAQs.
Beginning on April 12, 2017, organizations that have already self-certified to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework can log into to their Privacy Shield account and click on “self-certify” to add the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework. Organizations will pay a fee to self-certify to the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework. For more information, view the Amendment to the Privacy Shield Cost Recovery Fees.
In January 2017, ESR News reported the International Trade Administration (ITA) announced the final approval of the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework designed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Swiss Government to align with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and replace the U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework. U.S.-Swiss commercial ties included investments totaling over $410 billion in 2015.
ESR Has EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Certification
Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) – a global provider of background checks and a strategic choice for businesses needing accurate and actionable information when hiring – received notification from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) that ESR’s self-certification of adherence to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework was approved and effective as of August 12, 2016.
NOTE: Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) does not provide or offer legal services or legal advice of any kind or nature. Any information on this website is for educational purposes only.
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