Introduction to European Interoperability Framework and IDAbc proposal EPAN e-Gov working group 26/02/2004 Christian Devillers Enterprise DG European Commission

Outline of the presentation EIF Definitions / background and objectives / scope Overview of the EIF EIF and national initiatives EIF development process Identified actions IDA eLink IDAbc Objectives A2B and A2C services Means Horizontal measures

Why interoperability? To support the single market and its associated four freedoms (of people, capital, goods and services) As people move and enterprises trade across Europe they need to interact electronically with public administrations in Member States other than their own. National administration will need to obtain information from other Member States

Definitions An interoperability framework for eGovernment services can be defined as the set of standards and guidelines which describe the way in which administrations have agreed, or should agree, to interact electronically with each other and with businesses and citizens. The European Interoperability Framework (EIF) is a set of recommendations and guidelines for eGovernment services so that public administrations, businesses and citizens can interact across borders, in a pan-European context.

Background An action part of the eEurope 2005 action plan under eGovernment heading An issue addressed during the Ministerial conference on eGovernment (Como -Italy) on 7-8 July 2003 A key element of the new IDAbc programme To reach interoperability at pan-European level, an agreed European Interoperability Framework is a necessary condition

Objective of the EIF To support the European Union’s strategy of providing user centred eGovernment services Considering the context of life events and business episodes By facilitating, at a pan-European level, the interoperability of services and systems between administrations and the public (citizens, and businesses) between public administrations

Life events and business episodes Public Services for Citizens Income taxes: declaration, notification of assessment Job search services by labour offices Social security contributions Personal documents (passport and driver's licence) Car registration (new, used and imported cars) ….. Public Services for Businesses Social contribution for employees VAT: declaration, notification Registration of a new company Submission of data to statistical offices Public procurement …...

Scope direct interaction between citizens or businesses with the administrations of other Member States and/or with the European institutions; e.g. a job-search service available on-line exchange of data between administrations of different Member States in order to resolve cases that citizens or businesses may raise with the administration of their own country; e.g. collecting pension rights from different countries exchange of data between various EU institutions or between an EU institution and one or more administrations of Member States; e.g. IDA sectoral networks (statistics, agriculture, …)

Interaction types

Main underlying principles Accessibility (multi-channels, access for disabled people) Multilingualism Security and privacy, personal data protection Subsidiarity Use of Open standards Assess the benefits of Open Source Software Use of multilateral solutions

Interoperability areas Organisational level ( a main issue) life events and business episodes -> eGovernment services -> business processes to be supported at pan-European level Semantic level (a main issue) common definitions and understanding of the data to be exchanged Technical level technical issues of linking up computer systems (technologies and standards used, open interfaces, data formats, protocols, …)

Organisational (1) Pan-European eGov services Defined by demand-driven approach Prioritization Concept of Business Interoperability Interfaces Relationships formalised through service level agreements Common security policies

Organisational (2)

Semantic Publish information on data elements used at national level At pan-European level: Define data elements required Define core eGovernment data elements (including basic identifiers for enterprises, citizens and administrations) Define mapping tables (national -> pan-European) XML as common mark-up language, used in a coordinated way Cooperation with standardisation bodies

Technical (1) Stage1: Online services only provide information: the consumer can read this information online or download it. Stage2: Forms are available online, and can be downloaded, and returned by post, fax or e-mail. Stage3: Individual transactions between an administration and an enterprise or citizen are possible: forms can be completed online, orders can be placed and paid for. Stage4: Multiple transactions are possible; services are integrated and transactions between administrations and enterprises and citizens are fully automated.

Technical (2) Front-office / Back-office / Security aspects Need for common guidelines for technical interoperability at pan-European level to adopt solutions which fit on a multilateral basis Based on recognised open standards Support of Multilingualism is an important aspect

Portal-based services

Application to application

EIF and national initiatives EIF should be complementary to national initiatives (advisory role) Member States to develop their own national interoperability framework or interoperable administrative infrastructures Member States to integrate the pan-European dimension on the basis of the EIF NB: same considerations apply, when applicable, to EU Institutions and Agencies

EIF development process Framework published as a working IDA document on IDA web site since 22/01/2004 – comments are welcome Under preparation: Roadmap Maintenance aspects Common guidelines Production of the first release (Q2 2004) Envisaged: Commission communication to Council and Parliament on Interoperability with EIF as an annex =>

Identified actions Demand-driven study on requirements from citizens and enterprises Prioritization of eGovernement services at pan- European level and pilot projects Candidates: mobility in cross-border context, company registrations and eProcurement Dissemination of results, expansion Supported by Common technical guidelines Core eGovernment data elements, common identifiers Common repository of data elements / XML vocabularies Common tools (e.g. IDA eLink)

An example of interoperability middelware: IDA eLink a middleware for application to application communication, comprising the identification of remote services through a services directory and the provision of reliable and secure transport services over proper network infrastructure. Based on SHS, OSCI and web services standards

IDA eLink: Roles and double envelope concept External application External application External application Author Reader Node 1 Node 2 Sender Recipient IDA eLink Message Acknowledgement

IDAbc proposal

IDABC Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens Road map: Adoption by EP in second reading: End March Adoption by Council: May (or early June) EP and Council signatures: July or September Entering into force: October Date of application: 1 January 2005

Objective “The objective of the IDABC programme is to identify, support and promote the development and establishment of pan-European eGovernment services and the underlying interoperable telematic networks supporting the Member States and the Community in the implementation, within their respective areas of competence, of Community policies and activities, achieving substantial benefits for public administrations, businesses and citizens.” 2(1) Focus on services/content and benefits A2A, A2B and A2C activities are put on an equal footing

A2B & A2C Services “The Commission undertakes and will update, as appropriate, comprehensive consultations involving all stakeholders in order to carry out a study, involving all relevant sectors, focusing on the needs of and benefits for citizens and businesses, with a view to preparing a list of necessary and beneficial pan-European eGovernment services that could be implemented within the whole duration of this Decision.” (13) List of priorities for A2B and A2C services to be established No specific list of priorities for A2A services

Means “.. the Community shall, in cooperation with the Member States, implement projects of common interest …” 4(1) “.. the Community shall, in cooperation with the Member States, in support of projects of common interest, undertake horizontal measures …” 5(1) “Projects of common interest shall, whenever possible, make use of the horizontal pan-European eGovernment and infrastructure services and contribute to the further development of these services.” 4 Projects of common interest (PCIs) aim at A2A, A2B and A2C Horizontal measures to support the PCI

Horizontal measures Horizontal pan-European eGovernment services: ”horizontal measures undertaken to initiate, enable and manage the provision of horizontal pan-European eGovernment services, including organisational and coordination aspects, such as: (a) a portal to provide access to pan-European, multilingual online information and interactive services to businesses and citizens …” Annex II, A ”Infrastructure services means services provided to meet generic requirements, comprising technology and software solutions, including a European Interoperability Framework, security, middleware and network services.” 3(b) The Commission will provide a portal for delivery of pan-European eGovernment services by the Communities and Member States Interoperability is key

Horizontal Pan-European eGovernment Services PCIs & HMs Horizontal Pan-European eGovernment Services A->B/C A->B/C A->B/C Infrastructure Services PCI PCI A→A PCI A→A Infrastructure Services

More about IDA …... http://www.europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/