European Commission Sends EU-Japan Data Flows Deal to EU Council for Approval

The European Commission on Dec. 1 sent the European Council the deal it reached with Japan on cross-border data flows to be included in the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. If the council authorizes it, the amendment to the EPA will be sent to the European Parliament for consent, after which it would take effect, the commission announced.

The commission said the provisions set the foundation "for a common approach on digital trade, sending a strong message against digital protectionism and arbitrary unjustified restrictions to data flows." The amendments scrap data localization requirements, among other revisions to the EPA. Similar talks are occurring between the commission and South Korea and Singapore.