Industry needs 'wake-up call' to comply with Act

UK businesses need a 'wake-up call' on the impending deadline for compliance with the Data Protection Act, a survey by City firm Tarlo Lyons has concluded.The survey of 137 manufacturing and service sector companies found 61% of respondents unaware that the deadline was fast approaching; of those who were, 28% could not identify the correct date - 24 October.

The legislation will have a significant effect on international law firms as much as other businesses, but the survey said that 'only 53% of respondents believed that their US counterparts had an understanding of the EU requirements and 26% thought that they were completely unaware'.Andrew Rigby, Tarlo Lyons' head of e-business and banking technology law, said: 'The problem has been that a lot of businesses closed their eyes to the Act, knowing they had two years to implement it.

Now the transitional period has come to an end, they are totally unprepared - yet I think this legislation will fundamentally affect how people do business'.While more than 80% of respondents were aware that non-compliance with the Act would result in fines and enforcement orders, only half knew that the information commissioner could 'name and shame' offenders.

'Unlike with previous data legislation the regulators now have real teeth,' said Mr Rigby, 'and because it's an EU Directive they must satisfy regulators across the continent.'The survey also revealed that knowledge of the legislation was less than impressive, with only 43% of respondents claiming they could name three of the eight principles of data protection embodied in the Act.

Mr Rigby claimed that the government should have taken action to raise awareness and educate businesses more effectively about the Act.

Andrew Towler