Data access procedure

To get access to individual level data in the PEH data platform, a data access request form needs to be submitted. The request is evaluated by the Data Request Access Committee (DRAC), and upon positive evaluation access to extracts of the data will be provided through the PEH data platform. After the request has been approved, the Protocol on the management and use of Personal Exposure and Health Data Platform has to be signed. Once the protocol is signed, the requesting user can download the data from this website after log-in identification. Please note that our current agreements only cover data sharing with European Member States and associated countries, that are bound by the European GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). 

To avoid requesting data for research questions that have already been explored, you can download an overview of publications based on data available through the PEH platform here.

More details on data access procedure

The data access request form “PEH_DataAccessRequestForm” needs to be submitted to PEHDataPlatform@vito.be. In Annex 1 of the PEH_DataAccessRequestForm the requesting party must indicate the variables to which they require access. An overview of the available exposure, effect marker and health effect data per sub-study of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies can be found in the "Detailed overview of available data" section on this website. The Protocol can be requested for signature with an email to PEHDataPlatform@vito.be. Further details on all the variables can be found in the specific codebooks.

• The PEH_DataAccessRequestForm can be accessed here.
• Annex 1 of the PEH_DataAccessRequestForm can be accessed here.
• The codebook of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies in children can be accessed here.
• The codebook of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies in teenagers can be accessed here. 
• The codebook of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies in adults can be accessed here. 
• The codebook of the HBM4EU MoM-study can be accessed here.

Submitted data access requests are evaluated by the Data Request Access Committee (DRAC). They have a 60 day period to evaluate the request. They can reject the request, accept the request or ask for clarification from the submitter. 

If the request is approved: The DRAC informs all the supplying data controllers, who get a 30 day period to object in case they disagree with the DRAC decision. After the final approval the PEH data platform manager makes the requested data extract available to the specified data users through the PEH Data Platform. 

If the DRAC requests further clarification of the request before final evaluation: when a revised request form is resubmitted the DRAC has 15 days to evaluate the request. When approved (see above).

Log in for data upload or download: all Supplying Data Controllers (SDCs) and Receiving Data Controllers (RDCs) get a personal key for login where they get access to a secure environment to upload/download data.