Align Technology receives approval for European BCR application

Align Technology has announced the approval of its application for Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs), underlining its commitment to data protection.

The National Data Protection Authorities in the European Economic Area have ratified the company's application for BCRs for both the controller and processor sides of its business, making Align one of the first companies to achieve this.

Current European Commission's data protection laws only permit the transfer of personal data to non-EU nations under certain defined standards. BCRs offer an advantage solution over other mechanisms by harmonising practices relating to personal data protection within a company.

As such, it minimises risk and serves as an internal guide for employees with regard to management of personal data, while also making data protection integral to the way the firm carries out its business.

Roger George, Align Technology's vice-president and general counsel, said: "We have high standards for our business practices, as reflected in our privacy programme and now recognised by the European Data Protection Authorities."

Last month, the firm announced a share repurchase plan under which it will buy back up to $30 million (17.65 million pounds) of its common stock. This comes as part of wider $300 million share repurchasing strategy announced in April 2014.