The new proposals aim to update and harmonise the current EU data protection regime including strengthening individuals’ rights. The proposed legislation is in two parts comprising a Regulation and a Directive which will replace the current Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC).
The most directly relevant part for colleges and universities will be the Regulation where the main law is to be found and which when it becomes law will directly apply to the UK and other EU member states. The drafts have still to go through a discussion, lobbying and amendment phase and are unlikely to become law before 2014.
JISC Legal has a new law watch item which provides more detail on the proposals at http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/ManageContent/ViewDetail/ID/2308/Proposed-New-Rules-on-Data-Protection-Unveiled.aspx
The draft proposals are available on the Europa website at http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/data-protection/news/120125_en.htm