The European Council has taken a significant step towards streamlining digital public services across member states with the adoption of the Interoperable Europe Act. This regulation, as outlined in the Council’s press release, is designed to cultivate a network of interconnected public administrations and expedite the digital transformation within the EU’s public sector. The Act establishes a novel framework for cooperation among EU public administrations, specifically targeting the enhancement of cross-border public service delivery. Its core objective lies in the creation of “an ecosystem of shared interoperability solutions” for the EU’s public sector. This will be achieved, in part, through the establishment of “regulatory sandboxes,” which provide controlled environments for experimentation and innovation.

Several key elements underpin the new regulation. Firstly, it paves the way for the development of “trans-European digital services,” facilitating seamless access to public services across borders. Secondly, it fosters structured cooperation mechanisms between public administrations, enabling more efficient collaboration. Finally, the Act promotes the sharing and reuse of interoperability solutions through a dedicated “one-stop-shop” platform, fostering knowledge exchange and community cooperation within the EU’s public sector.

The press release is available here.