Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU Council reached an agreement on Tuesday evening, 30 November, on the Data Governance Act (DGA) (see EUROPE 12841/6).
“Our aim was to lay the foundations for a data economy in which citizens and businesses can have confidence. Data sharing can only flourish if trust and fairness are guaranteed”, said Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany), in the wake of the interinstitutional negotiations (‘trilogues’).
Several issues remained to be resolved in these negotiations. Thus, exclusive agreements for the re-use of public sector data will not exceed a period of 12 months for new contracts. The duration of existing contracts will be limited to two and a half years.
A searchable electronic register of public sector data will be set up by the Commission, which will act as a single online point of access.
The issue of data intermediation was also discussed. In this respect, providers of such services - aimed at facilitating the sharing of data by individuals and businesses - will also have to be registered.
In addition, the DGA should also serve to enable the development of data altruism, by making it easier for individuals to make their data available on a voluntary basis for the common good.
Within this framework, entities wishing to collect data for public interest purposes will also be able to apply for inclusion in a national register of organisations recognised for data altruism.
In addition, the European Data Innovation Board is expected to be established to advise and assist the Commission in enhancing the interoperability of intermediation services.
Finally, EU Council and European Parliament negotiators agreed on a 15-month period, starting from the entry into force of the regulation, for the application of the new rules inherent in the DGA. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)