zlacker

Is the system of warnings and increasing fines described in the post a part of the law, or does one need to rely on the "spirit of the good natured enforcers" if they are unable (or unwilling) to immediately comply fully?

>>tlrobi+(OP)
It is, but in a vague way, see article 83[0], where to choose what fine to apply you must consider, amongst other things:

(f) the degree of cooperation with the supervisory authority, in order to remedy the infringement and mitigate the possible adverse effects of the infringement

If an authority did not go this way any fine could be voided by an appeal.

[0] http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5419-2016-IN...