United Arab Emirates: Adopted Addendum to the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (EU SCCs) for personal data transfers

On 15 November 2023, the Abu Dhabi Global Market Office of Data Protection (ADGM) adopted the Addendum to the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (EU SCCs) for personal data transfers. The ADGM aims to support companies in data transfer processes involving personal information, in accordance with international data protection and privacy laws. This Addendum seeks to provide a mechanism for data transfers that are compliant with data protection rules within the ADGM, reduces duplication and removes additional compliance obligations, and builds on the existing safeguards of the EU Personal Data Transfer Clauses. Finally, the Office of Data Protection has issued supplementary guidelines to support companies in implementing the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses.