System of Base Registries

For nearly all governmental issues, having the right data is crucial. The System of Base Registries provides an essential, government-wide, organisation-independent data infrastructure with authentic data.

Data from these base registers are used (together) in government processes and to address societal challenges such as the energy transition, the implementation of the Environment and Planning Act (in Dutch, Omgevingswet), combating subversion, and supporting housing construction initiatives.

The responsibility for effectively implementing the System of Base Registries lies with the entire government, with the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) specifically accountable for overseeing this system.

What is the System of Base Registries?

The System of Base Registries comprises a series of agreements and measures designed to efficiently manage a select range of data crucial for government tasks. This data is recorded in legally grounded data collections (the base registers), including their interrelations and the common facilities necessary for collection, distribution, and use.

Involved parties, agreements, and roles

Various parties are involved in the system, such as policymakers, data providers, and data holders (see also: roles (Dutch). These parties adhere to a set of system agreements and guiding principles.

The Ministry of BZK will formalise the agreements, roles, and responsibilities within the System of Base Registries through the Digital Government Act, known in Dutch as the Wet digitale overheid (Wdo). This action will provide a legal basis for the overall system and the individual base registers. Moreover, it will distinctly define the responsibilities of the Ministry of BZK as the overseer of the system.

Improving the system

Research has shown that using base registers is not always straightforward, particularly when merging data from multiple registers. A primary focus in the coming years will be on streamlining the process of data extraction at the source and its subsequent integrated use, even for sectors and purposes that were not initially envisioned.

To enhance the System of Base Registries, stakeholders are collaborating through a dedicated programme. This joint effort has an implementation agenda centred around three principal objectives:

1. Improved service to citizens and businesses.
2. Increased use of data from the key registers.
3. Enhanced data quality, especially when used cohesively.

This plan and implementation agenda address the recommendations of the Netherlands Court of Audit, focusing on improving data access and correction, data reuse, and quality management.

Legal basis for the system

The System of Base Registries is one of the subjects considered for legal consolidation in the second phase of the Digital Government Law (Wdo). The Wdo will establish the agreements, roles, and responsibilities in the System of Base Registries, ensuring a legal foundation not only for individual key registers but also for the system as a whole. It will also legally establish the reporting point for ‘errors in government registrations’ (Dutch).

Governance

Governance requires the coordination of:

• Strategic decision-making for each base register.
• Tactical development for each base register.
• Operational activities for each base register.

It’s important to note that system management does not replace the governance of individual base registers. Responsibility for each base register remains with the minister who oversees the specific registration area.

Meetings and discussions

The following meetings discuss and decide on the System of Base Registries:

• OBDO: The Intergovernmental Consultative Body on Digital Government (OBDO) is responsible for its development.
• Strategic base register meeting: Here, strategic decisions about the system’s development are made, balancing interests with individual organisational considerations.
• Tactical base register meeting: A forum for system parties to discuss the programme’s execution as well as its development.
• User meeting: Here, the Ministry of BZK coordinates with representatives of major users of the key registers to align developments around the system.

More on system management can be found in NORA Online (Dutch).