News & Current Events

Announcement: The Department of Commerce and the Federal Data Protection and Information Commission of Switzerland have completed negotiations on establishing a data protection framework between the two countries. An exchange of letters was signed on December 9 by the Acting Under Secretary for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) on the creation of a `US-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework'. The framework will simplify the transfer of personal data by Swiss firms to American companies certified by the US Department of Commerce. In addition to administrative simplifications for businesses, the bilateral data protection framework will also strengthen the data protection rights of those concerned with respect to the certified companies.

The principal documents which will make up the framework will be posted within the next two weeks after the Department of Commerce has received notification from the Swiss government that the framework has legal effect.

For further information, contact:

Damon C. Greer
U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20230

Telephone: +1-202-482-5023
Facsimile: +1-202-482-5522
Email: damon.greer@mail.doc.gov