EU General Data Protection Regulation: Implications For Swiss Businesses

The EU GDPR does not confine itself to harmonise national legislations and reaffirm current EU data protection principles, but rather enhances data protection rights in significant parts. This also impacts on Swiss data protection legislation, which will need to be revised and amended in line with EU standards. 

Introduction

The EU GDPR was adopted on 27 April 2016. A two-year transition period for implementation was granted, ending on 25 May 2018. From this date, the EU GDPR will apply immediately and, in principle, uniformly across all EU member states. However, member states are allowed a degree of latitude in enacting the relevant national implementing regulations.

Applicability of the EU GDPR to Swiss businesses?