This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'List of requests unanswered due to lack of postal address'.

From: 
 
Sent: 
22 April 2014 11:10 
To: 
SG ACCES DOCUMENTS 
Subject: 
Re: Access to Documents request 
 
 
Dear 
 
 
thank you for your quick reply. I believe I can deal with each of your points, inline below 
 
On 22/04/14 10:46, xxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxxxxx.xx wrote: 
The European Commission has to notify its replies to access to document requests in a 
way that provides for legal certainty as regards the receipt of the reply by the applicant 
under Regulation 1049/2001. Replies triggering the possibility for administrative or 
judicial redress will therefore be transmitted via registered mail with acknowledgement of 
receipt. This requires an indication of a valid postal address by the applicant. 
 
This could alternately, and more privacy parsimoniously, be achieved merely by requesting a 
confirmation of receipt by email from the applicant. There is anyway only a self-assertion of 
identity, and providing a postal address will not confirm that identity to any legally relevant 
standard by itself. Circumstances requiring an involuntary proof of delivery are rare and it would 
be disproportioinate to normalize practice around this worst case. 
 
 
Moreover, the indication of a postal address is also needed for the correct application of certain other 
legal aspects (in particular, the scope of possible redress, data protection rules, protection against theft of 
identity or the use of false identities). 
 
Firstly these factors are conceivably relevant in case of, but not until an actual case of, dispute 
over the fulfilment of the request (or in what conceivable circumstances are they relevant merely 
to fulfil a request electronically?) 
 
Secondly, but without prejudice to my right of reasoned reply to the above point, I hereby self-
declare that I am a legal resident of France. What justification is there for requiring my precise 
address? 
 
Thirdly, but without prejudice to my right of reasoned reply to the above point, I am registered 
(under this name and email address) with the European Commission Authentication Service. I 
hereby give permission for you to verify that my name and email address are so registered, which 
provides more than sufficient assurance under any reasonable Access to Documents policy. You 
thereby know that my postal address is enrolled in ECAS, but it is not necessary for you to know 
what it is unless some contingency arises, which is justifiable. You will recall that it is good data 
protection practice for the Controller not to ask the subject information already in the Controller's 
possession, if the intended use is compatible and consented or otherwise lawful. 
 
kind regards