--- title: "Article 39 — Tasks of the data protection officer" type: regulation legal_status: in_force source: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504" source_retrieved: 2026-09-28 shortTitle: "Article 39 — Tasks of the data protection officer" instrument_type: level1_regulation authority: Commission binding: true binding_character: binding mica_level2: false legal_basis: "Regulation (EU) 2016/679" instrument: gdpr celex: "32016R0679" regulation: GDPR regulation-full: "Regulation (EU) 2016/679" article: 39 status: in_force object_id: eu.gdpr.legal_text.article.39 text_version: "Consolidated version of 4 May 2016" source_url: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504" check_status: matched verified: true last_checked: 2026-10-26 --- *In force · Consolidated version of 4 May 2016 · Checked against EUR-Lex on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504)* 1. The data protection officer shall have at least the following tasks: **(a)** to inform and advise the [controller](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/controller) or the [processor](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/processor) and the employees who carry out [processing](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/processing) of their obligations pursuant to this Regulation and to other Union or Member State data protection provisions; **(b)** to monitor compliance with this Regulation, with other Union or Member State data protection provisions and with the policies of the controller or processor in relation to the protection of [personal data](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/personal-data), including the assignment of responsibilities, awareness-raising and training of staff involved in processing operations, and the related audits; **(c)** to provide advice where requested as regards the data protection impact assessment and monitor its performance pursuant to [Article 35](35.md); **(d)** to cooperate with the [supervisory authority](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/supervisory-authority); **(e)** to act as the contact point for the supervisory authority on issues relating to processing, including the prior consultation referred to in [Article 36](36.md), and to consult, where appropriate, with regard to any other matter. 2. The data protection officer shall in the performance of his or her tasks have due regard to the risk associated with processing operations, taking into account the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing. *** [Chapter IV — Controller and processor](../chapters/iv.md) · [← Article 38](38.md) · [Article 40 →](40.md)