The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise has recently published a report entitled “EU data strategy and data sharing”. The purpose of this report is to add knowledge and insights on what will make it easier for business and industry to make better use of data in the internal market and help drive digital progress.
It should come as no surprise that the availability of data is central to digital progress and is a prerequisite for both future competitiveness and for addressing climate change. Access to searchable and compatible data that can be reused can - among other things - stimulate innovation, drive efficiencies in a range of sectors and promote economic growth.
In addition to access to data, an understanding of how data may be used is also essential – the existing law on the handling and ownership of data is complex, to say the least. In addition, there is a need for tools that encourage more efficient data use from both a legal and technical perspective.
The Confederation’s report is based on existing data sharing regulations, but also addresses future likely government initiatives expected in the European Data Strategy.
The European Data Strategy expresses a vision of creating an internal market for data that will promote data sharing within the EU. (see previously comments on the proposed strategy here.) At the end of 2020, a first initiative was presented, in the form of a proposal for a new Data Governance Act (commented here).
With the forthcoming regulations in the European Data Strategy, mandatory data-sharing rules have already been discussed. Such intrusive legislation risks inhibiting data sharing in general. The concept of data sharing is a relatively new area, and as a result most legislation in this area is also completely new. It is therefore vitally important - before introducing any further new regulations - to allow the market the time to operate and adapt to those that already exist.
EUDataData governanceData strategy