News & Events Archive
Notice: Certification System Changes
On March 1st, the Safe Harbor Program introduced a new feature for organizations that apply for self-certification and for those who are currently certified. The Department of Commerce has launched a userid/password system that will allow organizations restricted access to their public filing in order to update or modify information such as corporate name, address, personal information processed, etc. There will be only one userid per organization. Safe Harbor organizations may have already received an automated email that provides the userid and password and is signed by the “Cement Licensing Team.” That message is from the CIO’s applications development team. Future mailings will be signed “Safeharbor Team.” Additionally, a separate mailbox has been opened at: safeharbor@mail.doc.gov.
Also on March 1st, we launched an automatic notification system that will generate Safe Harbor reaffirmation notices that are based on each organization’s anniversary date of self-certification. For example, if an organization’s effective certification date is April 5th, then a reminder email notice will be sent on March 5th, one month prior to the anniversary date. Reaffirmations will still be sent to Damon Greer at damon.greer@mail.doc.gov, or via regular mail at the address below.
Damon Greer
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Room 2003
Washington, D. C. 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-5023 (direct line)
Facsimile: (202) 482-5522
Organizations that have problems setting up their accounts should contact Damon Greer for assistance.
Announcement: International Transfers of Personal Data Conference Presentations Available
Presentations and speeches from the October 23-24, 2006 International Conference on Cross Border Data Flows in Brussels are available at the following website.
Brussels Conference on International Transfers of Personal Data -- Presentations
Notice: Adjustments to the EU-DPA Compliance Fee Schedule
Please be advised that the the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce have adjusted the amount of a fee that is required under the Safe Harbor to cover certain costs. Under the Safe Harbor, organizations that have committed to cooperate and comply with the European Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) as a means of meeting the Safe Harbor's enforcement principle must pay an annual fee to cover the operating costs of the Data Protection Panel. There are two categories of organizations that are required to pay this fee: 1) organizations that have opted to use the DPAs as their independent recourse mechanism under the Safe Harbor and; 2) organizations that cover European employment information transfers in the self-certifications and are required to cooperate and comply with the DPAs.
Under the original arrangement, organizations were required to pay their annual fee as follows: US $150 for organizations with an annual turnover (revenue) of less than US $25 million; US $300 for organizations with an annual turnover (revenue) between US $25 million and up to US $100 million; and US $500 for all other organizations.
Effective immediately, this fee schedule will be modified, and all organizations that have committed to cooperate and comply with the DPAs will be required to submit an annual payment of only $50. This new fee will apply retroactively to when each organization first self-certified to the Department of Commerce. (As before, organizations may additionally be asked to meet any necessary translation expenses arising out of the panel's consideration of referrals or complaints against them.)
Organizations that have already submitted payment under the previous schedule may be entitled to a credit on future payments, or a refund, depending on the circumstances of their Safe Harbor self-certification. These organizations will be contacted by mail with further details. Organizations that have not made the required annual payments during their participation in the Safe Harbor are asked to submit $50 for each year in which payment was not submitted. Payment of delinquent annual fees must be submitted within three months from the date of this notice.
The U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB), the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce, will continue to act as a trusted third party on behalf of the DPAs. Therefore, organizations are asked to send any required payments to "USCIB - Safe Harbor Account", c/o Mr. Paul Cronin, U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB); 1212 Avenue of the Americas; New York, NY 10036.
Should you need further information on how to carry out the payment, please contact Mr. Paul Cronin, USCIB, at 212-354-4480. If, on the other hand, you require more information on how the cooperation/compliance with the EU DPAs works, you can contact the Secretariat of the Data Protection Panel.
Announcement: Conference on International Transfers of Personal Data
October 23-24, 2006
Brussels, Belgium
The European Commission will organize a Conference on International Transfers of Personal Data under the aegis of the Article 29 working Party, an independent European Union advisory body on Date Protection and Privacy, and the United States Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
This conference follows the seminar on the Safe Harbor, which was held in Washington, D. C. on December 7, 2005, which also was organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Article 29 Working Party.
For additional information on the program, please visit the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Web site; or contact: Damon C. Greer, U. S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 2003, Washington, D. C. 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5023.
Announcement: LA Workshop
Thursday, May 11, 2006; 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location:
Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles
506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2607
On Wednesday, December 7, 2005, the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration co-sponsored a workshop entitled "The European Union - United States Safe Harbor Framework: Bridging Differences in Approaches to Data Protection" with the EU Article 29 Working Party.
Workshop participants heard presentations from U.S. and European officials that manage the Safe Harbor, from independent recourse providers, as well as from companies experienced in adhering to the Safe Harbor principles. A comprehensive dialogue occurred to further mutual understanding of the Safe Harbor. Presentations provided by the presenters are below.
Additional questions or comments? Please contact Damon Greer (Damon.Greer@mail.doc.gov), Safe Harbor Program Directors, Department of Commerce, via e-mail or phone at 202/482-3709.