This week, the Council of the European Union approved the Interoperable Europe Act. This European regulation aims to improve collaboration and digital data exchange between public organisations across the European Union (EU), simplifying and accelerating the process for citizens and businesses to request services in the future.
Interoperability allows different systems or organisations to communicate and collaborate without restrictions. It fosters trust in the digital world and is a key principle in the Values-Driven Digitalisation Agenda Work Agenda. The Interoperable Europe Act ensures that in the future, it will be easier and faster for citizens and businesses to request services, such as registering a birth, starting a business, or applying for benefits, regardless of which EU country they are in.
Reuse, standardisation, and sharing Best Practices
The regulation advocates for the redistribution and reuse of existing software solutions. It also sets out agreements on standards and the sharing of best practices between member states, preventing the need for each EU country to reinvent the wheel. Mandatory analyses for new legislation will identify interoperability issues earlier in the process before legal texts are finalised. The Cabinet has been a staunch proponent of the practical implementation of the regulation during the legislative process.
EU Council’s agreement: Next steps
This regulation is expected to come into effect by the end of March 2024. Anticipated to come into force by late March 2024, the regulation will then see public bodies across the EU initiating its execution, aiming for full implementation by the start of 2025.
