Welcome to the Safe Harbor

ANNOUNCEMENT: On December 5, 2008, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Federal Register Notice (Vol. 73, No. 235) which described plans to implement a cost recovery program to support the operation of the U.S.-European Union (EU) Safe Harbor Framework. Interested parties could submit their comments on the proposed program by close of business December 16, 2008.

Effective March 1, 2009, the Safe Harbor cost recovery program will be in force for organizations that wish to self-certify their compliance to the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework. The fee for new registrants to Safe Harbor is $200.00.

Effective April 1, 2009, currently self-certified organizations will also be required to remit a $100.00 annual fee for recertifying their adherence to the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework.

Payment Method: Currently, payment by corporate check, money order, or certified check is available for remitting the fees. Payments by credit cards are not currently available. Checks should be made out to: U.S. Department of Commerce. Payments should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Room 2003
Washington, D. C. 20230
ATTN: Damon C. Greer

Because of internal mail delivery delays due to security inspections, we strongly advise that applicants submit their checks via a recognized courier service such as Federal Express or UPS. In addition, we also recommend that an electronic copy of the remittance be sent via email to: safe.harbor@mail.doc.gov.

Alternatively, a facsimile copy may be sent to: 202-482-5522. The subject line on both modes of transmission should state: USEU Safe Harbor New Certification Fee for XYZ Corporation. This notice will facilitate prompt review of pending applications. Recertification payments should be made in the same manner with the subject line stating: USEU Safe Harbor Recertification Fee for XYZ Organization.

New Applicants’ Registration Fee (one-time only): $200.00.

Current Safe Harbor member Re-Certification Fee: $100.00 annually payable on or before anniversary date of joining Safe Harbor.

These fees are used to administer Safe Harbor and are not refundable. Payment of the fee does not guarantee self-certification to Safe Harbor.

Introduction:

The European Commission’s Directive on Data Protection went into effect in October of 1998, and would prohibit the transfer of personal data to non-European Union nations that do not meet the European “adequacy” standard for privacy protection. While the United States and the European Union share the goal of enhancing privacy protection for their citizens, the United States takes a different approach to privacy from that taken by the European Union.

In order to bridge these different privacy approaches and provide a streamlined means for U.S. organizations to comply with the Directive, the U.S. Department of Commerce in consultation with the European Commission developed a "Safe Harbor" framework and this website to provide the information an organization should need to evaluate – and then join – the Safe Harbor.

U.S. – European Union Safe Harbor Framework

U.S. - Switzerland Safe Harbor Framework

To get started, use the following two links:

Safe Harbor Checklist for U.S. Companies

Helpful Hints Prior to Self-Certifying