Ralf Sauer (Europäische Kommission)

Ralf Sauer is the Deputy Head of Unit in DG Justice and Consumer's international data protection unit (C.4 International Data Flows and Protection). As such he is co-responsible (with the Head of Unit) for the entire work of this unit which covers data flows both for commercial purposes and in the area of law enforcement cooperation. The objective of the unit is to facilitate such data flows through multi- and bilateral arrangements at international level (including, for instance, the U.N., OPEC, Council of Europe) while ensuring a high level of data protection. It is also responsible for the European Commission's policy work as regards the international transfer tools provided in EU data protection legislation (adequacy, contractual instruments such as Standard Contractual Clauses and Binding Corporate Rules, certification mechanisms and codes of conduct, so-called derogations).
 
Ralf Sauer has been one of the key negotiators of the EU-US Privacy Shield and has been centrally involved in the annual review.  Also, he is currently leading the discussions with a number of countries that have expressed interest in an adequacy finding. He regularly participates in international conferences and panels on data protection issues.
 
Prior to joining DG Justice, Ralf Sauer worked for almost 10 years in the European Commission's Legal Service where he provided legal advice to various policy units of the Commission and represented the institution in many cases before the European Courts.

He holds a Master and doctoral degree from Yale Law School.