On May 3, 2021, the European Commission (the “Commission”) opened a further public consultation (“Consultation”) on the European Health Data Space (“EHDS”).

This follows a consultation earlier in the year, on the Commission’s “Inception Impact Assessment” in relation to the EHDS.  (For further information on the earlier consultation and an overview of the EHDS, please see our blog post available here).

The Consultation aims to get feedback from a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., members of the public, healthcare professionals, public health authorities, data protection authorities, and industry organisations) on their experiences with the collection, access, use and re-use of health data.  The consultation consists of a questionnaire structured in three sections focusing on:

  1. the use of health data for healthcare provision, research and innovation, policy making, and regulatory decision-making;
  2. the development and use of digital health services and products; and
  3. the development and use of artificial intelligence systems in healthcare.

Feedback is to be used to help in designing the legal framework for the EHDS.

The consultation is open until July 26, 2021, with the Commission’s adoption of the EHDS planned for the fourth quarter of 2021.

The team at Covington will continue to monitor any developments in this area.

Photo of Daniel Pavin Daniel Pavin

Daniel Pavin advises clients on a wide range of transactions involving intellectual property, technology and data.

He has extensive experience advising pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and technology companies in connection with licensing, collaborations and other strategic agreements. He also advises clients in connection…

Daniel Pavin advises clients on a wide range of transactions involving intellectual property, technology and data.

He has extensive experience advising pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and technology companies in connection with licensing, collaborations and other strategic agreements. He also advises clients in connection with investments, fundraisings and M&A.

Daniel has a particular focus on digital transformation in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, including digital health transactions, and data-driven and AI drug discovery and development projects.

Daniel is one of the leaders of Covington’s global, multidisciplinary Digital Health Initiative, which brings together the firm’s considerable resources across the broad array of legal, regulatory, commercial, and policy issues relating to the development and exploitation of digital health products and services.

Chambers UK notes, “Daniel Pavin has very strong legal and commercial acumen.” “Daniel Pavin is very knowledgeable about life sciences and the data and digital areas. He sits where tech and life sciences come together.” “He is incredibly knowledgeable. He is very inclusive and happy to draw colleagues into conversations.”

Prior to his legal career, Daniel worked as a computer programmer, developing microscope image processing software. He is the co-inventor of a patented invention in the field of social network analytics.

Photo of Anna Sophia Oberschelp de Meneses Anna Sophia Oberschelp de Meneses

I advise companies across the EU on technology laws, with a focus on data protection, cybersecurity, and current consumer protection laws. I help businesses navigate complex regulations like the GDPR, AI Act, Digital Services Act, Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, and the upcoming Digital…

I advise companies across the EU on technology laws, with a focus on data protection, cybersecurity, and current consumer protection laws. I help businesses navigate complex regulations like the GDPR, AI Act, Digital Services Act, Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, and the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, turning legal requirements into practical, business-friendly solutions.

In data protection, I support tailored GDPR compliance, international data transfers, and privacy-conscious marketing. On cybersecurity, I guide clients through risk assessments, incident response, and evolving laws such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act. Regarding consumer protection, I advise on existing laws to help businesses revise their terms and conditions for compliance and review online interfaces to ensure all mandatory consumer information is clearly provided, tackling issues like dark patterns and unfair contract clauses.

Fluent in multiple languages and experienced across borders, I’m passionate about helping clients embed compliance into their operations and thrive in the fast-changing digital landscape.