Data Protection Act 2018

[F1 Part 3 U.K. Transfers to third countries and international organisations

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 21 inserted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 102 (with reg. 5, Sch. 3 para. 111(6)) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1586, regs. 1(2), 5(4)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

UK GDPR: [F2 transfers approved by regulations] U.K.

4 (1) On and after IP completion day, for the purposes of the UK GDPR and Part 2 of this Act, a transfer of personal data to a third country or an international organisation is [F3 to be treated as approved by regulations made under Article 45A of the UK GDPR] if, at the time of the transfer, paragraph 5 specifies, or specifies a description which includes—

(a) in the case of a third country, the country or a relevant territory or sector within the country, or

(b) in the case of an international organisation, the organisation.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) has effect subject to provision in paragraph 5 providing that only particular transfers to the country, territory, sector or organisation may rely on a particular provision of paragraph 5 for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1).

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) repeal sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) and paragraph 5;

(b) amend paragraph 5 so as to omit a third country, territory, sector or international organisation specified, or of a description specified, in that paragraph;

(c) amend paragraph 5 so as to replace a reference to, or description of, a third country, territory, sector or organisation with a narrower reference or description, including by specifying or describing particular transfers of personal data and making provision described in sub-paragraph (2).

(4) Regulations under this paragraph may, among other things——

(a) identify a transfer of personal data by any means, including by reference to the controller or processor, the recipient, the personal data transferred or the means by which the transfer is made or by reference to relevant legislation, [F4 schemes, lists or other arrangements or] documents, as they have effect from time to time;

(b) confer a discretion on a person.

(5) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the negative resolution procedure.

F5 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 21 para. 4 heading substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(2) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F3 Words in Sch. 21 para. 4(1) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(3)(a) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F4 Words in Sch. 21 para. 4(4)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(3)(b) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F5 Sch. 21 para. 4(6) omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(3)(c) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

5 (1) The following are specified for the purposes of paragraph 4(1)— U.K.

(a) an EEA state;

(b) Gibraltar;

(c) a Union institution, body, office or agency set up by, or on the basis of, the Treaty on the European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or the Euratom Treaty;

(d) an equivalent institution, body, office or agency set up by, or on the basis of, the Treaties establishing the European Economic Area;

(e) a third country which is the subject of a decision listed in sub-paragraph (2), other than a decision that, immediately before IP completion day, had been repealed or was suspended;

(f) a third country, territory or sector within a third country or international organisation which is the subject of an adequacy decision made by the European Commission before IP completion day on the basis of Article 45(3) of the EU GDPR, other than a decision that, immediately before IP completion day, had been repealed or was suspended.

(2) The decisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(e) are the following—

(a) Commission Decision 2000/518/EC of 26th July 2000 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data provided in Switzerland;

(b) Commission Decision 2002/2/EC of 20th December 2001 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data provided by the Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act;

(c) Commission Decision 2003/490/EC of 30th June 2003 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data in Argentina;

(d) Commission Decision 2003/821/EC of 21st November 2003 on the adequate protection of personal data in Guernsey;

(e) Commission Decision 2004/411/EC of 28th April 2004 on the adequate protection of personal data in the Isle of Man;

(f) Commission Decision 2008/393/EC of 8th May 2008 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data in Jersey;

(g) Commission Decision 2010/146/EU of 5th March 2010 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection provided by the Faeroese Act on processing of personal data;

(h) Commission Decision 2010/625/EU of 19th October 2010 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data in Andorra;

(i) Commission Decision 2011/61/EU of 31st January 2011 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data by the State of Israel with regard to automated processing of personal data;

(j) Commission Implementing Decision 2012/484/EU of 21st August 2012 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data by the Eastern Republic of Uruguay with regard to automated processing of personal data;

(k) Commission Implementing Decision 2013/65/EU of 19th December 2012 pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data by New Zealand;

(m) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/419 of 23rd January 2019 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate protection of personal data by Japan under the Act on the Protection of Personal Information.

(3) Where a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(e) or (f) states that an adequate level of protection of personal data is ensured only for a transfer specified or described in the decision, only such a transfer may rely on that provision and that decision for the purposes of paragraph 4(1).

(4) The references to a decision in sub-paragraphs (1)(e) and (f) and (2) are to the decision as it had effect in EU law immediately before IP completion day, subject to sub-paragraphs (5) and (6).

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph, where a reference to legislation, a list or another document in a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(e) or (f) is a reference to the legislation, list or document as it has effect from time to time, it is to be treated as a reference to the legislation, list or other document as it has effect at the time of the transfer.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph, where a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(e) or (f) relates to—

(a) transfers from the European Union (or the European Community) or the European Economic Area, or

(b) transfers to which the EU GDPR applies,

it is to be treated as relating to equivalent transfers to or from the United Kingdom or transfers to which the UK GDPR applies (as appropriate).

6 (1) In the provisions listed in sub-paragraph (2)— U.K.

(a) references to regulations made under [F6 Article 45A of the UK GDPR] (other than references to making such regulations) include the provision made in paragraph 5;

(b) references to the revocation of such regulations include the repeal of all or part of paragraph 5.

[F7 (2) Those provisions are Articles 13(1)(f), 14(1)(f), 45C, 49(1) and 49A(1) of the UK GDPR.]

[F8 (3) In its application to transfers treated as approved by virtue of paragraph 1, Article 45C(5) of the UK GDPR (transfers approved by regulations: monitoring) has effect as if the reference to Article 45A(4)(b) were omitted.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in Sch. 21 para. 6(1)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(4)(a) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F7 Sch. 21 para. 6(2) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(4)(b) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F8 Sch. 21 para. 6(3) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(4)(c) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

UK GDPR: transfers subject to appropriate safeguards provided by standard data protection clauses U.K.

F9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Sch. 21 para. 7 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(5) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F10 8 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F10 Sch. 21 para. 8 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(5) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

UK GDPR: transfers subject to appropriate safeguards provided by binding corporate rules U.K.

9 (1) [F11 The requirement for safeguards to be provided under Article 46(1A)(a)(i) of the UK GDPR may be satisfied] on and after IP completion day as described [F12 in] sub-paragraphs (2) to (4), subject to sub-paragraph (5).

(2) The safeguards may be provided for by any binding corporate rules authorised by the Commissioner which, immediately before IP completion day, provided for the appropriate safeguards referred to in Article 46(1) of the EU GDPR by virtue of Article 46(5) of the EU GDPR.

(3) The safeguards may be provided for by a version of binding corporate rules described in sub-paragraph (2) incorporating changes where—

(a) all of the changes are made in consequence of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU [F13 , of provision] made by regulations under section 8 or 23 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 [F14 or of the amendment of Chapter 5 of the UK GDPR by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025], and

(b) none of the changes alters the effect of the rules.

(4) The following changes are to be treated as falling within sub-paragraph (3)(a) and (b)—

(a) changing references to adequacy decisions made by the European Commission into references to equivalent provision made by regulations under section 17A or by or under paragraphs 4 to 6 of this Schedule;

[F15 (aa) changing references to provision made by regulations under section 17A into references to provision made by regulations made under Article 45A of the UK GDPR;]

(b) changing references to transferring personal data outside the European Union or the European Economic Area into references to transferring personal data outside the United Kingdom.

(5) Sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) cease to apply in relation to binding corporate rules if, on or after IP completion day, the Commissioner withdraws the authorisation of the rules (or, where sub-paragraph (3) is relied on, the authorisation of the rules mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)).

(5A) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2), binding corporate rules which, immediately before IP completion day, provided for the appropriate safeguards referred to in Article 46(1) of the EU GDPR by virtue of Article 46(5) of the EU GDPR but which were authorised other than by the Commissioner are to be treated as authorised by the Commissioner where—

(a) a valid notification of the rules has been made to the Commissioner,

(b) the Commissioner has approved them, and

(c) that approval has not been withdrawn.

(5B) A notification is valid if it—

(a) is made by a controller or processor established in the United Kingdom,

(b) is made to the Commissioner before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with IP completion day, and

(c) includes—

(i) the name and contact details of the data protection officer or other contact point for the controller or processor, and

(ii) such other information as the Commissioner may reasonably require.

(5C) Where a valid notification is made the Commissioner must, without undue delay—

(a) decide whether or not to approve the rules, and

(b) notify the controller or processor of that decision.

(6) The Commissioner must keep the operation of this paragraph under review.

(7) In this paragraph—

• “adequacy decision” means a decision made on the basis of—

  (a)

  Article 45(3) of the EU GDPR, or

  (b)

  Article 25(6) of Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24th October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data;

• “binding corporate rules” has the meaning given in Article 4(20) of the UK GDPR.

(8) This paragraph has effect in addition to Article 46(2) and (3) of the UK GDPR.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in Sch. 21 para. 9(1) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(6)(a)(i) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F12 Word in Sch. 21 para. 9(1) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(6)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F13 Words in Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(6)(b)(i) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F14 Words in Sch. 21 para. 9(3)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(6)(b)(ii) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F15 Sch. 21 para. 9(4)(aa) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(6)(c) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

Part 3 (law enforcement processing): [F16 transfers approved by regulations] U.K.

10 (1) On and after IP completion day, for the purposes of Part 3 of this Act, a transfer of personal data to a third country or an international organisation is [F17 to be treated as approved by regulations made under section 74AA] if, at the time of the transfer, paragraph 11 specifies, or specifies a description which includes—

(a) in the case of a third country, the country or a relevant territory or sector within the country, or

(b) in the case of an international organisation, the organisation.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) has effect subject to provision in paragraph 11 providing that only particular transfers to the country, territory, sector or organisation may rely on a particular provision of paragraph 11 for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1).

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) repeal sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) and paragraph 11;

(b) amend paragraph 11 so as to omit a third country, territory, sector or international organisation specified, or of a description specified, in that paragraph;

(c) amend paragraph 11 so as to replace a reference to, or description of, a third country, territory, sector or organisation with a narrower reference or description, including by specifying or describing particular transfers of personal data and by making provision described in sub-paragraph (2).

(4) Regulations under this paragraph may, among other things—

(a) identify a transfer of personal data by any means, including by reference to the controller or processor, the recipient, the personal data transferred or the means by which the transfer is made or by reference to relevant legislation, [F18 schemes, lists or other arrangements or] documents, as they have effect from time to time;

(b) confer a discretion on a person.

(5) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the negative resolution procedure.

F19 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in Sch. 21 para. 10 heading substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(7) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F17 Words in Sch. 21 para. 10(1) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(8)(a) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F18 Words in Sch. 21 para. 10(4)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(8)(b) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F19 Sch. 21 para. 10(6) omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(8)(c) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

11 (1) The following are specified for the purposes of paragraph 10(1)— U.K.

(a) an EEA state;

(aa) Switzerland;

(b) Gibraltar;

(c) a third country, a territory or sector within a third country or an international organisation which is the subject of an adequacy decision made by the European Commission before IP completion day on the basis of Article 36(3) of the Law Enforcement Directive, other than a decision that, immediately before IP completion day, had been repealed or was suspended.

(2) Where a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(c) states that an adequate level of protection of personal data is ensured only for a transfer specified or described in the decision, only such a transfer may rely on that provision and that decision for the purposes of paragraph 10(1).

(3) The reference to a decision in sub-paragraph (1)(c) is to the decision as it had effect in EU law immediately before IP completion day, subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (5).

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, where a reference to legislation, a list or another document in a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(c) is a reference to the legislation, list or document as it has effect from time to time, it is to be treated as a reference to the legislation, list or other document as it has effect at the time of the transfer.

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph, where a decision described in sub-paragraph (1)(c) relates to—

(a) transfers from the European Union (or the European Community) or the European Economic Area, or

(b) transfers to which the Law Enforcement Directive applies,

it is to be treated as relating to equivalent transfers from the United Kingdom or transfers to which Part 3 of this Act applies (as appropriate).

12 [F20 (1)] [F21 In sections 74B and 76(A1)—] U.K.

(a) references to regulations made under section [F22 74AA] (other than references to making such regulations) include the provision made in paragraph 11;

(b) references to the revocation of such regulations include the repeal of all or part of paragraph 11.

[F23 (2) In its application to transfers treated as approved by virtue of paragraph 10, section 74B(7) (transfers approved by regulations: monitoring) has effect as if the reference to section 74AA(4)(b) were omitted.]]

Textual Amendments

F20 Sch. 21 para. 12 renumbered as Sch. 21 para. 12(1) (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(9)(a) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F21 Words in Sch. 21 para. 12(1) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(9)(b)(i) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F22 Word in Sch. 21 para. 12(1)(a) substituted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(9)(b)(ii) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)

F23 Sch. 21 para. 12(2) inserted (5.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 9 para. 25(9)(c) (with Sch. 9 Pt. 2); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z11)