COM(2011)0877.pdf

The European Commission proposes a Directive to amend Directive 2003/98/EC on the re-use of public sector information (PSI), aiming to facilitate the re-use of PSI throughout the Union by harmonising basic conditions and removing barriers. The proposal seeks to unlock the economic potential of government-owned data, contributing to economic growth and job creation, and to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability of governments. The Commission identifies remaining barriers, including restrictive access rules, unclear pricing, and excessive complexity, and proposes to reinforce the original Directive to overcome these barriers and ensure a level playing field for all potential re-users of PSI. The estimated total market for public sector information in 2008 was €28 billion, with potential economic gains from further opening up public sector information estimated at €40 billion per year for the EU27.