ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUPS and the GDPR

An economic interest group (EIG) is a group with legal personality which allows its members (of which there must be at least two) to pool some of their activities in order to develop, improve or increase the results of these activities while retaining their individuality. The group may have a civil or commercial purpose.

This intermediate structure between the company and the association, whose purpose can only be to extend the activity of its members, was established by the order of September 23, 1967, now incorporated into the Commercial Code in articles L251-1 [archive] and following.

THE EIG is recorded in a written document which contains a certain amount of information and it must be registered in the trade and companies register (RCS).

The members of the EIG are jointly and severally liable for the debts, which removes part of its interest and makes its use difficult.

However the EIG has the advantage of being subject to very flexible legal rules, particularly with regard to its share capital (possibility of incorporation without capital), its purpose (which may be civil or commercial) or its organizational methods.

Great importance must be given to the wording of the subject of the EIG because the group is committed to third parties by any act of the directors which falls within this corporate purpose.

The choice of the EIG in the context of a project must be made with caution, it limits the possibilities of subsequent diversification if necessary, and in addition, the costs of a possible transformation of the company name will generally be prohibitive from a tax point of view.

A GIE is made up of several companies. A person recruited by this group will work part-time for these companies.

In an Economic Interest Group (EIG), the types and nature of personal data that you can process will depend on the type of activity you carry out. However, here are some examples of personal data that SAs can process:

• Personally identifiable information: This may include data such as name, address, email address, telephone number, date of birth, and social security number.
• Financial Information: This may include information such as credit card numbers, banking information, payment information, debts and financial assets.
• Employment Information: This may include information such as employee name, employee address, salary, leave details, and benefits.
• Customer Information: This may include information such as the customer's name, address, telephone number, and purchase history.
• Supplier Information: This may include information such as name, address, telephone number and contract terms.

Information on representatives of member companies of the EIG : this may include information such as the name, address and number of shares held by shareholders.

It is important to note that EIGs are subject to regulations regarding the protection of personal data and must comply with current data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

EIGs must ensure that all personal data they collect is processed securely and in accordance with applicable laws.