Safe Harbor Announcement – July 31, 2008

The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has developed a certification mark for the U.S.-European Union (EU) Safe Harbor Framework. The mark may be used by companies on their websites to signify that they have self-certified compliance with the provisions of the Safe Harbor Framework.

The Safe Harbor Framework facilitates secure, uninterrupted transfers of personal information that support billions of dollars in trade from the EU to the United States. By displaying this certification mark, participating companies can more easily illustrate their commitment to ensuring that EU citizens’ data is secure, which is critical to the U.S.-EU trade relationship.

In order to display the certification mark, participating U.S. companies must follow specific instructions developed by ITA. Only those organizations that have self-certified and are listed on ITA’s official Safe Harbor Program list will be allowed to use the mark in an appropriate manner. Continued use of the mark is contingent on companies maintaining their status in the program.

More than 1,500 U.S. companies participate in the Safe Harbor, which is managed by ITA’s Manufacturing and Services unit. As the program has grown, it has achieved global recognition as one of the best ways to meet the requirements of the EU’s Data Protection Directive.

For additional information about the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework, please contact Damon Greer at: (202)482-5023; damon.greer@mail.doc.gov.