What does the "one-stop-shop" mechanism allow organizations to do in the EU?

The "one-stop-shop" mechanism is a fundamental aspect of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), designed to simplify the regulatory landscape for organizations operating in multiple EU member states. This mechanism allows organizations engaged in cross-border data processing to handle their compliance and communication with data protection authorities through a single supervisory authority, which is typically the authority in the country where the organization has its main establishment.

This streamlined process aims to provide clarity and consistency, making it easier for organizations to manage their obligations under the GDPR without having to navigate the complexities of multiple regulators. By designating one authority as the main point of contact, it helps prevent duplication of efforts and reduces compliance burdens for businesses that operate across various EU territories.

In contrast, organizations cannot choose any authority regardless of location, as they must work with the supervisory authority of their primary establishment. Therefore, while organizations may interact with different supervisory authorities based on their operations, the "one-stop-shop" mechanism minimizes the need to deal with each authority separately in cases of cross-border processing. Additionally, local data protection laws cannot simply be ignored, as the GDPR sets a framework that must be adhered to, taking precedence only over national laws where there is alignment with EU data protection principles.