The E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework was formally approved July 12, 2016 when the E.U. Commission deemed the Privacy Shield Framework “adequate” to enable data transfers under E.U. law. U.S. businesses that meet the Privacy Shield requirements can self-certify online beginning August 1. U.S. businesses processing E.U. customer or employee data, or with plans to do so in the near future, should consider Privacy Shield certification.