Data Protection Registration - What You Need to Know

The RCVS has received a number of queries from members concerned about correspondence they have received from Data Protection Agency Registrations (or other similar companies).

This correspondence, typically headed Final Notice, asks the recipient to submit their Notification to the Information Commissioner in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, accompanied by a cheque for £95 plus VAT, to the address provided.

The value of this service to veterinary surgeons may be open to doubt, hence members are advised to notify the Information Commissioner directly, for a fee of only £35 (VAT not payable). In any event, the RCVS would advise members to check first whether they actually need to register their practice with the Information Commissioner. Useful guidelines are provided on the Commissioner's website.

The RCVS has also consulted with the Office of Fair Trading which is aware of Data Protection Agency Registrations. The OFT has asked anyone with a complaint about this or any other similar advertising, to forward the details (ideally in the form of a covering letter explaining the nature of the complaint and enclosing copies of any relevant correspondence) to Michelle Vaughan, Office of Fair Trading, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX.

Please note that the OFT cannot offer advice or assistance to individual complainants.