In line with the EDPB’s Helsinki Statement to make GDPR compliance easier and strengthen consistency across Europe, the EDPB has adopted a template for Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA). The template will help organisations structure, harmonise and evidence their DPIA reporting processes. The template is complemented by an explainer document providing concise explanations for completing this template effectively, by breaking down key concepts in a simple language and addressing possible questions and knowledge gaps controllers might have.

A DPIA is a process required in situations where the processing is likely to result in a high risk, to describe how personal data will be processed, assess whether the processing is necessary and appropriate, and identify and reduce risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms. The EDPB template has been conceived to support organisations step by step in this process while filling the template.

Controllers can conduct their risk analysis and management processes as they prefer, using the DPIA methodology of their choice. While it is not mandatory for organisations to use the EDPB template, it allows them to benefit from predefined fields that prompt complete and structured responses. This will help ensure that all necessary information is captured accurately while minimising the risk of errors and saving time.

The template will be subject to public consultation until 9 June, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to comment and provide feedback. Following the public consultation, all Data Protection Authorities will initiate the necessary steps to adopt this template either as their sole standard or as a ‘meta-template’ to which national-specific templates will align. In the meantime, organisations are encouraged to use this template and to provide feedback in the context of the public consultation.