Embracing open standards for open data: The ecosystem of interoperability across Europe

Open standards are publicly available specifications and guidelines designed to ensure that different systems, software, and technologies can communicate and operate seamlessly together. These standards foster interoperability, reduce costs, and avoid dependencies on a single software vendor, thereby enhancing flexibility and innovation across various sectors. By adhering to open standards, organisations and governments can promote a more collaborative and integrated digital environment.

The Interoperable Europe Act, which entered into force in April 2024, represents the advancement of digital integration and cooperation across the European Union. By promoting the use of open standards and ensuring interoperability, the Act seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, drive economic growth, and support innovation.

The Interoperable Europe initiative aims to create a new cooperation network that facilitates a seamless exchange of data and services between different systems, organisations, and countries within the EU. The Act encourages the widespread availability and use of open data to promote transparency and foster the development of innovative solutions. Open data standards can help the 1.7 million publicly available datasets on data.europa.eu by providing guidelines to our data providers. These standards lead to homogenisation and cross-interoperability between Member States because datasets need to be uploaded in the same format. 

The integration of open data standards within the framework of the Interoperable Europe Act demonstrates the Commission’s dedication to create a connected Europe in the digital public sector. This ensures that valuable information can be used across various sectors and regions, while governments gain more trust from citizens. 

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