Economic Evaluation of the Data Protection Directive

This report Economic Evaluation of the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC, has been commissioned by the European Commission, Internal Market Directorate-General and prepared by RAMBOLL Management. The objective of this report is to measure the economic impact of the Directive on data controllers and to examine its cost effectiveness and efficiency by assessing the implementation and transposition process and analysing the direct costs of the directive.


"The case studies show that the costs of compliance with the national legislation implementing the Directive are limited for the sectors examined. Most companies, except the multinational companies (CSC and Benetton Italy) and large public institutions (customs authorities), experience modest costs. In addition the costs on multinational companies and large administrations are minor related to the size and turnover of these organisations."