Simplifying digital compliance requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises, starting with clear and uniform rules. This was the focus of an October 21 meeting between Daniele Bianco, a board member of the San Marino Association for Information Technology (Associazione Sammarinese per l’Informatica, ASI) and founder and CEO of Formula Agile S.r.l., and officials from the European Commission.
The discussion with DG CONNECT, the Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, focused on the application of digital regulations and the difficulties SMEs face in complying with them.
“The meeting followed up on the contribution Formula Agile submitted to the public consultation on the Digital Fitness Check, through which the Commission assesses the interaction between digital regulations and their overall impact on businesses,” the ASI statement reads. “The contribution focused on the Digital Omnibus simplification proposals concerning privacy and cookies.”
At the officials’ request, the discussion delved into compliance automation — the use of software to automate regulatory compliance. Formula Agile shared the experience gained through My Agile Privacy, a platform for managing consent on websites.
“Every day we turn European rules into code for thousands of small businesses,” Bianco said. “Clear rules automate well. The problem arises when interpretations differ from one country to another. For an SME, true simplification doesn’t mean fewer rules, but certain ones.”
The proposals put forward include a common European classification of processing purposes that is machine-readable, along with single, up-to-date guidelines featuring clearly dated versions.
“Transparency obligations for major tracking technology providers were also proposed, along with certification mechanisms for compliance tools that would offer protections to the businesses adopting them,” the association reports.
“It’s important for San Marino’s voice to reach Brussels on digital issues too,” Bianco added, “especially at a time when the country is building its relationship with the European single market.”
ASI links its members’ contributions to its broader effort to bring businesses’ needs to the attention of institutions: “Sharing this expertise and engaging in technical dialogue are part of the Association’s commitment to developing the ICT sector and driving San Marino’s digital growth.”
