European Interoperability Act

Background

On 21 November 2021, the Commission published the Interoperable Europe Act, a proposal aimed at supporting the creation of a network of interconnected digital public administrations and accelerating the digital transformation of Europe's public sector. The proposal introduces a framework for cooperation between EU Member States and EU institutions to secure the cross-border exchange of data and agree on shared digital solutions. It will help the EU and its Member States deliver better public services and is hoped to bring cost-savings of between EUR 5.5 and 6.3 million for people and between EUR 5.7 and EUR 19.2 billion for businesses.

Key points

The EESC is overall in favour of the proposal, as interconnectivity of public services is a prerequisite for building a digital single market. However, the EESC:

• warns against letting the move towards digital services do away with in-person services. In-person services must remain available, in particular for vulnerable groups such as older people and people who do not have access to digital technologies. In parallel, training on digital skills should be made available to everyone so that no one is left behind;
• urges against cutting back on staffing levels in public services, as is often the case with digitalisation. Keeping sufficient staffing levels is a prerequisite for a successful transformation, and the development and operation of digital services will initially require additional staff;
• recommends making access to data, whether for people, businesses or other public services, subject to different levels of authorisation in order to safeguard data confidentiality and ensure that only data that is strictly necessary is disclosed. There needs to be a clear determination of what sort of access each person and each business will have and a clear definition of security and safety.

Link to full opinion

Additional information

EESC section responsible: Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT)

Opinion type: mandatory referral

Rapporteur: Vasco DE MELLO (Employers/Portugal) 

Reference: COM(2022) 702 final and COM(2022) 710 final 

Date of adoption by section: 10/03/2023

Result of the vote: 47 votes in favour, one against, with no abstentions

Date of adoption by plenary session: 10/03/2023

Result of the vote: 200 votes in favour, none against, with 3 abstentions