The EU’s New Interoperability Policy and Regulation: Challenges and Opportunities for the European Digital Single Market

This Chapter explores the concept of interoperability within public services of the European Union (EU) and its Member States, focusing on the seamless exchange of information and services across borders and sectors. Recognising the significance of effective data sharing and resource utilisation, the EU has embarked on a multifaceted journey to establish an interoperability policy that fosters collaboration among Member States and transcends national boundaries. The Chapter begins by introducing the core principles and objectives underlying the EU’s interoperability policy, emphasising its transformative potential for diverse sectors and industries. It highlights the need for a coordinated and harmonised approach to interoperability, considering the complexities arising from varying national frameworks and diverging practices. Next, the Chapter delves into the historical evolution of the EU’s interoperability policy, tracing its roots back to the developments of the 1980s and 1990s. It explores critical milestones that have shaped the interoperability landscape, culminating in establishing a comprehensive European interoperability policy. The significance of the European Interoperability Frameworks and the Tallinn Declaration of 2017, which emphasised digital transformation and interoperability in the Digital Single Market, are also discussed. The Chapter then examines the European Commission’s Interoperable Europe Act Regulation Proposal. It explores the proposal’s origins, ambitions, and the driving forces behind its formulation. The proposal’s impact on cross-border interoperability and public- sector cooperation in the EU is under analysis. The Chapter also discusses the framework for future interoperability cooperation and the mechanisms to guide this collaborative endeavour. Lastly, the Chapter evaluates the progress towards achieving effective and efficient interoperability within the EU, considering challenges and opportunities related to technological advancements, governance structures, and legal frameworks. It concludes by emphasising the significance of interoperability within the European Union and presenting prospects and recommendations for realising a genuinely interoperable Europe.