Interoperability between ICT systems in the public sector is an important policy objective for the European Union. It is regarded an important means to solve conventional issues relating to digital communications between independent organizations and entities and enable seamless and cost-effective delivery of public services. Hopes are that is should also facilitate cross-border mobility. It is thus at the heart of the EU policy to create an integrated market and better European public services.
One of the most important policy instruments used to achieve these goals is, somewhat paradoxically, a non-binding recommendation from the European Commission called the European Interoperability Framework (EIF).
The European Interoperability Framework (EIF) 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, along with the eEurope Action Plan 2005, in purpose to provide recommendations concerning technologies and further information which could facilitate pan-European eGovernment services.
The EIF is directed towards the Member States’ public authorities, setting guidelines as to how ICT services should be designed and implemented and how the procurement process should be handled to ensure future trans-national interoperability and cross-border mobility.
The EIF was originally founded on eight fundamental principles; Accessibility and Multilingualism-services should be available and accessible by all, Security and Privacy- online solutions should have a maximum level of security and transparency, protecting user information, Subsidiarity- each Member State and EU institution is responsible for achieving interoperability, Use of Open Standards- use of open standards is recommended, Assess the Benefits of Open Source Software (OSS)- OSS should be considered when constructing an ICT solution, Use of Multilateral Solutions- on single solution implemented in several areas result in multilateral interoperability.
In 2008, an official draft version of the EIF 2.0 was made available for public comments. The Commission expresses the need for updating the EIF 1.0 definition of interoperability, which simply meant that ICT and business processes enabled the sharing of data, information and technology, since different aspects of the meaning of Interoperability has been found. Therefore, a broader definition has been introduced describing interoperability as the ability of diverse organizations and systems to work together and thus increase efficiency.
EIF 2.0 recommends that public policy should Support Standardization and Innovation and Ensure Administrative Neutrality. The idea is that public administrations should ensure that the standard selections process is fair to all vendors and make sure that the fee to be paid is not prohibitively expensive. Although the EIF 2.0 still states that open standards should be preferred and open specifications implemented where possible, the direct referencing has been replaced.
More lately, an unofficial draft of the EIF 2.0 has leaked (the exact source and status of this document is disputed), in which the wording on openness differs from EIF 1.0. First, openness is merely seen as the willingness to share knowledge. Second, no direct referencing to open standards or OSS is expressed. Third, the document refers to an “openness continuum” between open and closed. Fourth, the draft refers to interoperability can be achieved if all actors are using identical technology.
The Commission has declined to confirm that the leaked draft reflects the opinions or views of the EU.
