Interoperable Europe Act

KEY POINTS

Objectives

The regulation:

• sets up a clear legal framework to support interoperability of trans-European digital public services across a range of administrative levels and sectors;
• promotes the digital transformation of public administrations aiming to achieve fully interoperable public services by 2030;
• enhances connectivity and inclusivity, by aiming to ensure that digital transformation benefits reach rural and remote areas.

Interoperability assessment and sharing solutions

EU entities and public sector bodies are tasked with:

• carrying out interoperability assessments before implementing new or modified digital systems;
• evaluating the effects of such new or modified digital systems on cross-border interoperability;
• identifying and consulting the stakeholders affected/concerned;
• identifying barriers and proposing solutions for cross-border digital public services; and
• sharing interoperability solutions – reusable assets enabling cross-border interoperability such as frameworks, guidelines, reference architectures, technical specifications, standards, services and applications, and source code.

Achieving European interoperability

The European Commission:

• sets up the Interoperable Europe Portal to provide access to interoperability solutions, foster knowledge sharing and support public sector digital transformation;
• publishes interoperable Europe solutions and the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) on the portal, ensuring they are accessible, machine-readable and reusable.

Interoperable Europe governance support and training

The Interoperable Europe Board set up by the regulation:

• consists of representatives from each Member State and the Commission;
• develops the EIF, which provides recommendations for legal, organisational, semantic and technical interoperability;
• recommends interoperable Europe solutions, which are then published on the portal;
• facilitates strategic cooperation and provides advice on applying the regulation;
• adopts guidelines and proposes measures to enhance public sector interoperability.

The board can propose the following to the Commission:

• implementation support projects to assist public sector bodies in digital policy implementation and ensure cross-border interoperability;
• innovation measures to support the development and uptake of innovative interoperability solutions;
• interoperability regulatory sandboxes to foster innovation, facilitate cross-border cooperation and support European GovTech ecosystems, with strict guidelines for data processing and participant liability.

Training and review

• The Commission, assisted by the board, provides training materials and courses on interoperability, including certification programmes to promote best practices and qualifications.
• A voluntary peer review mechanism supports public sector bodies in implementing Interoperable Europe solutions and carrying out assessments.

The interoperable Europe community

• Composed of public and private stakeholders, it provides expertise and advice to the board.
• Each Member State designates competent authorities and a single point of contact responsible for the regulation’s application and coordination.
• EU entities involved in trans-European digital public services designate an interoperability coordinator to ensure compliance and support.

Planning and monitoring

• The board adopts an annual interoperable Europe agenda to coordinate priorities for developing cross-border interoperability.
• The Commission monitors and reports on the progress of trans-European digital public services, focusing on cross-border interoperability, EIF implementation and developing open-source solutions.
• Annual reports are submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Budget

The general EU budget covers the costs related to the development and maintenance of the Interoperable Europe Portal and support measures.