Through the SEMIC Action, DG DIGIT supports base registries interconnectivity and interoperability to facilitate the exchange of authentic data across regions and countries. The SEMIC Action takes over the work previously conducted under the ISA² Action 2016.28 Access to Base Registries’ (ABR) integrating it into the wider framework of DIGIT B services to support public services interoperability. 

The aim is to define a common framework for base registries access and interconnection, providing support and guidance to make national and cross-border access to the base registries more efficient. 

To achieve these goals:

1) all Member States should follow closely and respect the Once Only Principle standard and;

2) interfaces between national registers should be defined, published and harmonised at legal, organisational, semantic and technical levels.

However, the information needed for operating European public services is owned and managed by each EU Member State (or within an EU country). Therefore, this Action explores whether and how making the data contained in base registries open – following the appropriate security and privacy measures – could help foster interoperability / interconnection across European public services.

 

What are base registries?  

Base registries represent authoritative databases and a trusted source of basic information on data items at the heart of public services and therefore essential for public administration management. Such data items include for instance citizens, corporations, vehicles, driver licences, buildings, and locations. 

According to the definition in the EIF, a base registry is a “trusted and authoritative source of information which can and should be digitally reused by others and in which one organisation is responsible and accountable for the collection, usage, updating and preservation of information”. 

 

Benefits

• More efficient and effective access to information across borders when establishing European public services.
• Faster and easier European public service establishment.
• Reduced administrative burdens.
• Development of base registries and interconnecting infrastructures rapidly and more cost-efficient.