Luxembourg, 22/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - Despite proceedings initiated against them, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Luxembourg have failed in their obligation to notify the Commission of measures to put into practice the directive on re-use of public sector information (PSI) of 1 July 2005. On 22 December, the Commission therefore decided to bring action against these countries at the Court of Justice.
Public organisations produce, collect and store vast amounts of public sector information, ranging from financial and weather data to tourist and traffic information. The directive on the re-use of PSI aims to make it simpler to create EU-wide information products and services that are based on public sector information. This market is estimated at €10-48 billion in the EU alone. (cd)