Interoperability Europe Act

Key points

The EESC:

• Believes that interoperability between public services is an essential requirement for a digital single market to be established.
• Considers, however, that achieving this objective must not involve Member States adopting a policy of complete digitalisation of public services to the detriment of those provided in person; it should take into consideration the most vulnerable population groups. Training on digital skills should be available to everyone, but in particular to these population groups.
• Observes that instead of reducing personnel, the development and operation of digital services will, initially, create an additional need for personnel. Adequate staffing is a prerequisite for a successful digital transformation.
• Considers it important for future funding programmes for public service interoperability projects to make granting of funding conditional on adopting the principles and structures advocated by the European Interoperability Framework.
• Welcomes the fact that this process fits into the so-called dual transition but warns that some technological solutions for digitalisation could be highly energy-intensive.
• Believes that, with the necessary care taken, data protection cannot be allowed to be an obstacle to either public services or private individuals creating new interoperable solutions.
• Believes that access to data should be subject to different levels of authorisation in order to safeguard data confidentiality and to ensure that only data that is strictly necessary is disclosed.

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.