EDPB announces forthcoming unified GDPR breach reporting form
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has announced plans to publish an EU-wide personal data breach notification template to help organizations comply with the GDPR. The template is intended to standardize the format and content of breach reports across Member States, making it easier for companies that operate in multiple EU jurisdictions to meet their reporting obligations. The EDPB has not yet confirmed a release date for the template, and until it is published organizations must continue to follow the notification channels and formats required by each national Data Protection Authority.
A uniform notification form aims to improve consistency in how Data Protection Authorities receive and process breach reports, reducing variation in the information submitted and supporting faster, more effective regulatory responses. The template should also help organizations assess the risk to individuals’ rights and prepare complete reports that address the GDPR’s content requirements, including the nature of the breach, categories of affected data, and mitigation measures taken.
The EDPB is developing additional compliance resources to accompany the template, including model documents, checklists, how-to guides, and FAQs, as well as updated guidance formats to improve accessibility and usability. These complementary tools are expected to assist organizations in documenting incidents, meeting GDPR obligations, and possibly aligning breach reporting with other EU digital laws that impose notification duties.
Legal and compliance teams should monitor EDPB communications for the template’s publication while continuing to use existing national reporting processes for now. Organizations that handle cross-border processing should prepare internally for the transition by mapping current notification practices, updating incident response playbooks, and training relevant staff to use a standardized EU form once it becomes available.
