Source: OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, pp. 1–88 · Consolidated text

Article 31 Cooperation with the supervisory authority

Summary What does Article 31 of the GDPR regulation say?

This is a notably brief article that establishes a straightforward cooperation obligation.

It sits within the broader framework of accountability and oversight under the GDPR, acting as a complement to the powers granted to supervisory authorities under Article 58.

In essence, it requires controllers and processors to cooperate with supervisory authorities when asked to do so, ensuring that those authorities can effectively carry out their regulatory and enforcement functions.

Important points:

Controllers and processors must cooperate with supervisory authorities on request.
Where applicable, the representatives of controllers and processors are also bound by this cooperation obligation.
The obligation is triggered on request, meaning it is tied directly to the supervisory authority's own exercise of its tasks.

Springlex's summary of the article is a reading aid, not a substitute for the legal text.

The controller and the processor and, where applicable, their representatives, shall cooperate, on request, with the supervisory authority in the performance of its tasks.

Table of contents

Springlex and this text is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. No liability is assumed for its content. The authentic version of this act is the one published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Relevant recitals