On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act)
IMCO-AD-745487
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Francisco Guerreiro
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The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection gives its opinion on the proposed Interoperable Europe Act, which sets common rules for cross-border interoperability of public sector network and information systems.¶¶ It proposes amendments to improve accessibility of digital public services for all users, including persons with disabilities, and to involve service recipients in the Interoperable Europe Community.¶¶¶ It wants interoperability assessments to cover eIDAS trust services and cybersecurity risks, to be published in machine-readable form, and to be waived where an equivalent assessment already exists.¶¶¶ It seeks greater participation of open source developers, start-ups, SMEs and local and regional authorities, and allows regulatory sandboxes at local and regional level.¶¶¶ It asks for a Union-wide certification programme for interoperability skills and for the Commission to cover the costs of peer reviews.¶¶¶
Committee position. The committee welcomes the Commission proposal and proposes amendments to improve accessibility of digital public services, to broaden interoperability assessments, to involve open source developers, SMEs and service recipients, and to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities.¶¶¶
Key points
- The proposed Regulation should replace informal cooperation between public administrations with a clear legal framework for cross-border interoperability.¶¶
- Amendments require equal and easy access to digital public services for all users, including older persons and persons with disabilities.¶¶¶
- The Interoperable Europe Board should monitor the functioning and access to network connections needed for cross-border interoperability.¶
- Interoperability assessments should consider eIDAS trust services and cybersecurity risk-management measures, and their reports should be published in machine-readable format and shared with the Commission.¶¶¶
- No new interoperability assessment is needed where an equivalent one covering the same requirements has already been carried out.¶¶
- Public sector bodies should consult service recipients, in particular SMEs and persons with disabilities, when intended operations directly affect them.¶
- Public sector bodies may prioritise free and open source software solutions, and the Commission may help identify, develop and deploy them.¶¶
- The Commission may invite open source developers, third party service providers and representatives of service recipients to Interoperable Europe Board meetings.¶¶
- Regulatory sandboxes may be operated at local and regional level and should facilitate cross-border cooperation between competent authorities at all levels of administration.¶¶
- The Commission should build a Union-wide recognised certification programme with different skill levels for interoperability.¶¶
- The Commission shall adopt guidelines on the methodology and content of peer reviews and cover their costs.¶
- The Commission's report on the Regulation should assess impacts on citizens, businesses, innovation, costs, cybersecurity, mandatory interoperability assessment and training.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Public sector bodies in member states and Union institutions, bodies and agencies that provide or manage public services electronically.¶
- Citizens and businesses, in particular start-ups and SMEs, that use cross-border public services.¶¶¶
- Persons with disabilities and older persons, who should get equal and easy access to digital public services.¶¶¶
- Local and regional authorities, which should be involved in implementing interoperability solutions and may operate regulatory sandboxes.¶¶
- Open source developers, start-ups and SMEs, which may take part in developing interoperability services and in the Interoperable Europe Community.¶¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- Guidelines on the content of the interoperability assessment by 9 months after entry into force of the Regulation.¶
- Peer review guidelines by 12 months after the date of application of the Regulation.¶
- Report on the application of the Regulation by three years after the date of application, and every four years thereafter.¶
- An online assembly of the Interoperable Europe Community at least once a year.¶