Public Sector Information Home :: Re-use of Commission Information

Re-use of Commission Information

This page aims to assists the Commission services to promote re-use of their information resources and comply with the Commission Decision on the Re-use of Commission Information (PDF file). It serves as an info point including guidelines on how to identify reusable documents, publish them, clarify the conditions for re-use and promote re-use of Commission information.

The Commission pursues an active policy of promotion of PSI re-use across EU. In November 2003 it adopted a Directive on the re-use of public sector information (PDF file; EN language) which provides a legal framework for the re-use of PSI and encourages Member States to do as much as possible to realise the economic potential that PSI offers.
The Commission is itself a producer and holder of Public Sector Information (PSI), which could be re-used in added-value information products.
The importance of enabling re-use of Commission's information lies in the fact that its re-use can be the basis for new products and/or services (PDF file). Consequently, it can result in economic growth and new employments. Some examples of products and services based on PSI:
- Business information - ODIN (Nordic Company Information)
- Land and property information - Eulis (European Land Information Service Plus)
- Law information - EULINVEST (European Legal Investment Information System)
- National public tenders - ETIS (European Information Tender System)
- Geographical information - GARMIN (City Navigator Europe)
- Weather, environment, traffic and transport information - Wings (Real Time Weather on-line Information Network for Early Warning. Guidance and Supervision in European Waters)
- Other examples
It is true beyond all question, that if we set up the rules (the PSI Directive), we ourselves have to follow them and be an example. Following the adoption of the PSI Directive, the Commission adopted a Decision on the Re-use of Commission Information (2006/291/EC, Euratom; PDF file) in April 2006. The Decision determines the conditions for the re-use of documents held by the Commission or on its behalf by the Publications Office.
The Decision applies to all Commission services. It is our obligation to follow its provisions and to make Commission information widely available and facilitate its re-use. This will enhance the image of openness of the Commission and avoid unnecessary administrative burden for re-users and the Commission services alike.

Maintained by Information Society and Media DG, Unit E4 - Access to Information

Contact: infso-psihelp@ec.europa.eu