Europe’s digital transformation is reshaping global business obligations really fast. From AI to cybersecurity, a wave of extraterritorial EU laws is compelling foreign companies to appoint local representatives. But as regulatory expectations rise, so do the stakes. That’s where Captain Compliance steps in to help with everything from local GDPR representation in the EU, UK, Switzerland and other support for EU compliance requirements as you can see below.
Why the EU Is Mandating More Representatives
Foreign companies offering digital services or targeting individuals in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway have long faced GDPR’s Article 27 requirement to appoint an EU representative. But with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), the AI Act, the Data Governance Act (DGA), and NIS2 now in force, companies must appoint additional legal representatives—often one per regulation.
Each law serves a distinct purpose—from regulating AI systems and data altruism to moderating online content and securing networks. Importantly, all share one principle: ensuring EU regulators have a direct, accountable contact within the Union.
Captain Compliance: Your Bridge to the EU Market
At Captain Compliance, we specialize in helping international businesses navigate these obligations with confidence. Whether you’re looking to appoint a GDPR Article 27 representative, comply with the DSA, or meet the AI Act’s August 2025 deadline for general-purpose AI models, our experts handle the full onboarding process—quickly and securely.
The Strategic Purpose Behind Representation
Why the push for more local reps? First, EU regulators want to close the enforcement gap. Without a presence in the EU, foreign companies have been difficult to penalize. We provide EU-based, legally recognized points of contact.
Second, the EU aims to level the playing field for local innovators by applying its rules uniformly. Appointing a qualified representative is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite to accessing Europe if you or your business is targeting consumers in the EU.
What EU Representatives Actually Do
Representation isn’t just a mailbox. Duties vary by law, but generally fall into two categories:
- Light-touch: Acting as a point of contact, maintaining compliance records, and publishing contact info for regulators.
- High-touch: Responding to urgent regulatory requests, granting access to systems, and even preserving or removing data under tight deadlines (as seen under the Terror Content Regulation or e-Evidence Directive).
Captain Compliance’s partners in Europe ensure that we have the highest quality representatives who are fully trained and privacy focused to help with both being a representative and if needed a virtual DPO for you.
High Stakes: What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Companies that fail to appoint required representatives may face:
- Fines and enforcement actions from EU regulators
- Loss of one-stop-shop regulatory protections
- Exposure to multiple overlapping supervisory authorities
- Heightened litigation risk from consumer advocacy groups like NOYB
For example, under the DGA, failure to register a representative can halt market entry and under the AI Act, representatives must immediately terminate contracts and alert regulators when noncompliance is suspected—creating significant liability exposure.
Captain Compliance’s Onboarding Advantage
We go beyond basic representation. Our onboarding includes:
- Custom-tailored compliance strategies for each law
- Security training and audit-ready system access safeguards
- Flexible agreements for high-touch or low-touch tasks
- Centralized EU presence with offices in Ireland and the Netherlands
Need coverage across multiple frameworks? Captain Compliance offers a unified EU presence, with capacity to manage cross-regulatory duties under GDPR, DSA, AI Act, and more all through a single, streamlined partner.
Choosing the Right Representative Location
Location matters. Most companies base their representative in Ireland or the Netherlands due to business-friendly regulators and strong tech infrastructure. We help you evaluate your primary EU market exposure and advise on jurisdictional benefits to avoid regulatory friction.
Can One Representative Cover It All?
It all depends on your use case and needs. Many laws allow for multipurpose representation, but others (like the AI Act) impose stricter duties that may conflict with ongoing business interests. Captain Compliance helps you split duties across specialist and generalist representatives to stay compliant without unnecessary risk.
Get a Representative to Help Navigate Europe’s Digital Requirements
With overlapping EU frameworks and aggressive enforcement on the rise, the path forward demands expertise, agility, and trust. Appointing a qualified representative isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s your passport into the European digital single market.
Need an EU GDPR representative or support with AI Act compliance? Book a demo below to get started.
