Open Data in the EU : Commission Communications

1. Introduction and evolution of legislation on open data

1.3. Commission Communications

Towards a thriving Data-Driven Economy, 21 January 2015

The communication called for the establishment in the EU of a thriving data-driven economy and thus a digital economy using information technologies. The coordinated action plan was to help to realise the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

The European Commission communication highlighted the need to create the conditions to facilitate cloud computing and a high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. According to the Commission, another critical element was the data-driven innovation (DDI), i.e. the ability of businesses and governments to use creatively information derived from in-depth data analysis, including public information made available for re-use.

The Commission emphasised that this would have required highly skilled specialists, broad application of open data and the creation of an appropriate legal framework on data ownership, data protection and the means of making data available. The Commission would have used various methods to support digital entrepreneurship in Europe, not least by promoting open access to data, facilitating access to cloud computing, fostering links and cooperation between local data incubators, as well as developing digital skills and competencies, including based on the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs.

According to the Commission, a thriving data-driven economy would have the following characteristics:

availability of good quality, reliable and interoperable datasets and enabling infrastructure;

improved framework conditions that facilitate value generation from datasets;

a range of application areas where improved big data handling can make a difference.

Progress towards a thriving data-driven economy requires community building and the correct framework conditions. In the Commission's view, strategic cooperation through a contractual PublicPrivate Partnership (cPPP) can play an essential role in developing a data community and encouraging the exchange of best practices.

The Commission stated that to optimise data storage, transfer, processing and analysis, the EU must use public procurement to bring the results of data technologies to the market.

Towards a common European data space, 25 April 2018

Building on the data protection legislation in force, the Commission proposed a package of measures as a key step towards achieving a common data space in the EU, a seamless digital area on a scale that would have enabled the development of new data-based products and services. The measures put forward along with this Communication included:

a proposal for a review of the Directive on the re-use of PSI;

an update of the 2012 Recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information;

guidance on sharing private sector data among companies and with public sector bodies for public interest purposes.

At the same time, they all worked towards the broader goal of bringing together data, as a key source of innovation and growth, from different sectors, countries and disciplines, into a common data space.
These initiatives were linked to the Regulation on the free flow of non-personal data in the EU (14 November 2018, entered into force in May 2019) which ensure that no barriers, such as data localisation restrictions, obstacle the development of the European data economy.