Re-use of public sector information

Briefing 29-07-2019

The mid-term review of the digital single market strategy in 2017 identified the data economy as one of the top three priority areas for action in the second half of the strategy's implementation, and announced a legislative proposal to improve access to and the re-use of publicly funded data. These data, which include geographical, land registry, statistical and legal information, are needed by re-users in the digital economy, and are increasingly employed by public administrations themselves. On 25 April 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a revision of the directive on the re-use of public sector information, which was presented as part of a package of measures aiming to facilitate the creation of a common data space in the EU. The directive addresses a number of issues, and presents ways to boost the potential of public sector information, including the provision of real-time access to dynamic data, the supply of high-value public data for re-use, the prevention of new forms of exclusive arrangement, and action to limit the use of exceptions to the principle of charging the marginal cost. The European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its report on 3 December 2018. An agreement was reached with the Council in trilogue on 22 January 2019. The updated directive was adopted by the Parliament on 4 April and by the Council on 6 June 2019. It was signed by the Presidents of the European Parliament and of the Council on 20 June 2019, and published in the Official Journal of 26 June 2019. The directive came into force on 16 July 2019. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.