Joint Supervisory Authorities

Joint Supervisory Authorities  - There are several joint supervisory bodies with specific tasks (supervising protection of personal data within the Schengen Information System, Customs, Europol and Eurojust respectively). These supervisory bodies are, essentially, made up of representatives of the national data protection authorities.

The EDPS cooperates with these supervisory bodies, particularly with a view to improve consistency in the protection of personal data (see Article 46 sub (f)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

Joint Supervisory Authority of Schengen

The establishment of the Joint Supervisory Authority of Schengen (JSA) is provided for by the Convention of 1990 implementing the Schengen Agreement of 1985.

The JSA is responsible for supervising the technical support function of the Schengen Information System (SIS). It consists of two representatives from each national data protection authority of the Schengen Member States.

Besides the task of supervising the technical support function of the SIS, the JSA has to examine any difficulties of application or interpretation that may arise during the operation of the SIS. The JSA has also been assigned the task of delivering opinions and of harmonising legal practice and interpretation at the national level, in accordance with Convention 108.

Joint Supervisory Body of Eurojust

The Joint Supervisory Authority of Eurojust monitors the activities of Eurojust, to ensure that the processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the Eurojust Decision. The Authority also hears appeals lodged by individuals who are dissatisfied in cases where Eurojust has not granted them the right of access to their personal data.

Joint Supervisory Authority of Customs

The Joint Supervisory Authority (JSA), established by the Convention on the use of information technology for customs purposes, is responsible for supervising the Customs Information System (CIS). The Authority inspects the central CIS database, offers advice and can examine issues relating to access requests by data subjects.

Europol Joint Supervisory Body

The operations of Europol are subject to supervision by the Europol Joint Supervisory Body (JSB), which ensures compliance with data protection rules. The main functions of the JSB involve, inter alia, examining proposals from Europol to exchange personal data with overseas law enforcement authorities and inspections of Europol in order to determine compliance with the provisions of the Europol Convention.

The appeals committee of the JSB is charged with examining appeals of Europol's decisions. Members are appointed by the JSB and are appointed to serve for a period of five years.

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European Data Protection Supervisor, 29 July 2011 09:15:16, http://www.edps.europa.eu/EDPSWEB/edps/cache/off/EDPS/Dataprotection/Glossary