European Union: Adopted EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement including cross-border data transfer regulation

On 30 June 2022, the European Union (EU) and New Zealand concluded the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement, including cross-border data transfer regulation. The parties in order to facilitate digital trade, agreed not to restrict the cross-border data flows between the EU and New Zealand. In particular, under the agreed text, the parties will not require the use of computing facilities located in their jurisdiction for the processing of data or impose data localisation requirements for the data for processing or storage purposes. The European Commission will submit a proposal to the Council to allow the Commission to sign the Agreement on behalf of the EU and a proposal for its adoption.