GDPR Article 61: Mutual Assistance Between Supervisory Authorities

Article 61 of the GDPR Explained

Supervisory authorities must:

• provide mutual assistance to ensure the uniform application of GDPR;
• exchange all relevant information, upon request or spontaneously;
• respond to requests from other authorities within one month;
• use binding measures if necessary (e.g., searches, collection of evidence).

In the event of a refusal to cooperate, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) may intervene to resolve the dispute.

Why This Article Is Important for Your GDPR Compliance

This article ensures consistency in controls and decisions within the EU. For companies operating in multiple countries, this strengthens legal certainty and avoids contradictions between national authorities.

How to comply with GDPR Article 61?

• Be prepared for your processing operations to be jointly examined by several authorities;
• Cooperate with all relevant authorities if you are notified;
• Document your exchanges and justifications to facilitate information sharing in the event of an inspection;
• Comply with coordinated decisions and the timelines set by the authorities.

Examples of GDPR Article 61 Application

• An Irish authority requests information from the French supervisory authority regarding a company with a secondary entity in France;
• Two authorities cooperate to conduct an inspection on geolocation practices common to several countries;
• An exchange of procedural documents is transmitted via the European administrative cooperation platform.

Related Resources

• Official text of the GDPR – EUR-Lex
• Practical guides from the French supervisory authority
• European portal for data protection

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