Recommendation to consent to Protocol on free flow of data in EU‑Japan EPA
Decision
The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution giving its consent to the conclusion, on behalf of the EU, of the Protocol amending the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership, as reflected in the committee recommendation A9-0081/2024 and the plenary text P9_TA(2024)0168. The Committee on International Trade adopted the recommendation on 7 March 2024 with a final committee vote of 31 in favour, 2 against and 4 abstentions, and the request for consent was submitted under reference C9‑0018/2024.
What Changes
The Protocol adds negotiated provisions on cross-border data flows to the EU‑Japan EPA intended to prevent unjustified data localisation measures and to ensure the free flow of data in compliance with data protection and digital economy rules. The negotiations were launched on 24 October 2022 and concluded in principle on 28 October 2023, and the text is presented as complementary to the existing mutual adequacy arrangement on personal data and aligned with relevant EU trade and data strategies.
Who Is Affected
The Protocol affects the European Union and Japan and businesses and supply chains across many economic sectors that rely on cross‑border data flows.
Sources
Official Documents
- RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership The EP adopted a legislative resolution giving its consent to the EU concluding the Protocol amending the EU–Japan Economic Partnership on cross-border data flows.
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