<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ooh-home-page.css">
<h1><span class="d-block text-primary">The Once-Only hub.</span>Unlocking the full <span class="d-block not-d-block-mobile">potential of the Single Market.</span></h1>
<p class="lead">
Welcome to the Once-Only Hub, a single environment providing reliable information and services relating to the Once-Only Technical System.
<p>
<p class="lead">
The Once-Only Technical System lets EU public authorities securely exchange official documents and data at the request of citizens and businesses as part of cross-border administrative procedures, e.g., when registering an address or vehicle when moving abroad. This innovative system eliminates the complicated manual search, mapping, and fetching of data between Member State authorities, improving efficiency, making people's lives easier, and reducing the costs of mobility in the Single Market.
</p>
<img class="introduction-illu-img" aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-introduction.png">
<img class="introduction-illu-bg" aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-introduction-bg.svg">
<div class="ooh-slider-container" role="region" aria-label="Content slider">

        <div class="ooh-slider-controls">
            <button class="ooh-slider-pause-btn" aria-label="Pause slideshow" aria-pressed="true">
                <span aria-hidden="true" class="ooh-slider-pause-txt">Pause</span>
                <img src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ico-slider-pause.svg"
                    alt="Pause">
            </button>
            <div class="ooh-slider-indicators"></div>
            <button class="ooh-slider-prev" aria-label="Previous slide">
                <img src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ico-slider-chevron-left.svg"
                    alt="Previous">
                <span aria-hidden="true">Previous</span>
            </button>
            <button class="ooh-slider-next" aria-label="Next slide">
                <span aria-hidden="true">Next</span>
                <img src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ico-slider-chevron-right.svg"
                    alt="Next">
            </button>
        </div>

        <ul class="ooh-slider-slides" aria-live="polite">
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide slider-highlight-news" aria-hidden="false">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge primary">News</span>
                        <p>Once-Only Studio presents: a conversation with Lithuania</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/zwg5Ng"><span>Read the article</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide slider-highlight-news" aria-hidden="true">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge primary">News</span>
                        <p>Mark your calendars! Upcoming Once-Only events in Q3 and Q4 of 2025</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/KQInNg"><span>Read the article</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide ooh-slider-slide-event" aria-hidden="true">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge success">Upcoming event</span>
                        <p>Implementers Café #16<br>9 September 2025 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Online event</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Implementers+Cafe+16"><span>See event</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide slider-highlight-news" aria-hidden="true">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge primary">News</span>
                        <p>Recent event “Towards a Simpler Single Market” sings praises of the Once-Only Technical System</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/4QEnNg"><span>Read the article</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide ooh-slider-slide-event" aria-hidden="true">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge success">Upcoming event</span>
                        <p>Europe goes Once-Only – Portugal edition<br>25 - 26 September 2025 | Lisbon, Portugal</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/RCOlNQ"><span>See event</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
            <li class="ooh-slider-slide slider-highlight-news" aria-hidden="true">
                <div class="ooh-slider-content">
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-copy">
                        <span class="badge primary">News</span>
                        <p>Commission publishes event report for the #6 Once-Only Technical System Projectathon</p>
                    </div>
                    <div class="ooh-slider-content-cta">
                        <a class="btn primary-bis" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/x/ZgAnNg"><span>Read the article</span><span
                                class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </li>
        </ul>
    </div>

    <script>
        document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
            const slides = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-slides");
            const slideItems = document.querySelectorAll(".ooh-slider-slide");
            const prevBtn = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-prev");
            const nextBtn = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-next");
            const indicatorsContainer = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-indicators");
            const pauseBtn = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-pause-btn");
            const pauseImg = pauseBtn.querySelector("img");
            const pauseText = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-pause-txt");
            const sliderContainer = document.querySelector(".ooh-slider-container");

            let currentIndex = 0;
            let autoSlide = true;
            let interval;

            function updateSlide(index) {
                const totalSlides = slideItems.length;
                currentIndex = (index + totalSlides) % totalSlides;

                slides.style.transform = `translateX(-${currentIndex * 100}%)`;

                slideItems.forEach((slide, i) => {
                    const isVisible = i === currentIndex;
                    slide.setAttribute("aria-hidden", !isVisible);
                    slide.querySelectorAll("button, a").forEach(el => {
                        el.tabIndex = isVisible ? "0" : "-1";
                    });
                });

                updateIndicators();
            }

            function updateIndicators() {
                document.querySelectorAll(".ooh-slider-indicators button").forEach((dot, idx) => {
                    dot.classList.toggle("active", idx === currentIndex);
                    dot.setAttribute("aria-current", idx === currentIndex);
                });
            }

            function createIndicators() {
                slideItems.forEach((_, i) => {
                    const btn = document.createElement("button");
                    btn.setAttribute("aria-label", `Go to slide ${i + 1}`);
                    btn.dataset.index = i;
                    btn.addEventListener("click", (e) => updateSlide(Number(e.target.dataset.index)));
                    indicatorsContainer.appendChild(btn);
                });
                updateIndicators();
            }

            function startAutoSlide() {
                stopAutoSlide(); // Make sure you don't create several intervals
                interval = setInterval(() => updateSlide(currentIndex + 1), 5000);
            }

            function stopAutoSlide() {
                clearInterval(interval);
            }

            prevBtn.addEventListener("click", () => updateSlide(currentIndex - 1));
            nextBtn.addEventListener("click", () => updateSlide(currentIndex + 1));

            pauseBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
                autoSlide = !autoSlide;
                pauseBtn.setAttribute("aria-pressed", autoSlide);
                pauseImg.src = autoSlide ? "https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ico-slider-pause.svg" : "https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/ico-slider-play.svg";
                pauseImg.alt = autoSlide ? "Pause" : "Play";
                pauseText.textContent = autoSlide ? "Pause" : "Play";

                stopAutoSlide(); // Always stop the interval before restarting one
                if (autoSlide) startAutoSlide();
            });

            document.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
                if (e.key === "ArrowLeft") updateSlide(currentIndex - 1);
                if (e.key === "ArrowRight") updateSlide(currentIndex + 1);
            });

            // Stop animation on hover or focus
            sliderContainer.addEventListener("mouseenter", stopAutoSlide);
            sliderContainer.addEventListener("mouseleave", () => { if (autoSlide) startAutoSlide(); });
            sliderContainer.addEventListener("focusin", stopAutoSlide);
            sliderContainer.addEventListener("focusout", () => { if (autoSlide) startAutoSlide(); });

            // Remove focus from buttons inside .ooh-slider-controls
            document.querySelectorAll('.ooh-slider-controls button').forEach(button => {
                button.addEventListener('click', function () {
                    this.blur();
                });
            });

            createIndicators();
            startAutoSlide();
        });
    </script>
<h2>Video</h2>
<p class="past-insights-p">Watch this video to learn more about Once-Only.</p>

<div class="video-container-iframe">
<iframe title="Video presentation of the Once-Only" src="https://europa.eu/webtools/crs/iframe/?oriurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2fembed%2fmzlZ6h4nJp0" allowfullscreen="" width="100%" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</div> 
<div class="container">

<div class="cols">
<div class="col-8">
<h2 class="h3">Introduction to the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS)</h2>
<p class="mb-0">The Once-Only Technical System (OOTS) is a framework designed to facilitate data sharing across borders. It will allow citizens and businesses to request official documents, or "evidence," needed for administrative procedures, thus making it easier for them to study, work, live, or retire when moving between EU countries. The system’s decentralised architecture connects public authorities, so they can exchange evidence at the citizen's or business' request.</p>
</div>
</div>

<div class="cols">
<div class="col-8"> 
<p>Discover the 21 procedures covered by the SDG Regulation in the scope of Once-Only Technical System and how EU citizens and businesses can benefit from Once-Only Technical System.</p> 
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/About+OOTS"><span>Discover the Once-Only Technical System overview</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p> 
</div>
</div>

<div class="cols gap-lg">
<div class="col-4">
<p><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" class="architectural-design-illu" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-oots-user-journey.png"></p>
<h3 class="h5">Once-Only Technical System - user journey for cross-border procedures</h3>
<p class="opacity-75">The user-journey refers to the steps anyone, a citizen or business, must take when using the Once-Only Technical System with a mind to the overall experience the user has.</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/User+Journey+-+Step+1+Authentication"><span>Discover the OOTS user journey</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>  
</div>

<div class="col-4 col-separator-before">
<p><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" class="architectural-design-illu" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-oots-architecture.png"></p> 
<h3 class="h5">Once-Only Technical System architecture</h3>
<p class="opacity-75">The Once-Only Technical System architecture adopts a decentralised approach, integrating and connecting systems through an interoperability layer using reusable "Building Blocks".</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Architecture"><span>Learn about the OOTS architecture</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>  
</div>
</div>

</div>
<div class="cols justify-content-center">

<div class="col-8">
<div class="guidance-box">
<div class="guidance-box-cols">

<div class="guidance-box-col-illu">
<img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-guidance-box.png">
</div>

<div class="guidance-box-col-content">
<h3 class="h5">OOTS Guidance Presentation</h3> 
<p class="p-opacity">The Guidance Presentation provides a useful introduction for teams across the EU working on the implementation of the Once-Only Technical System.</p>
<p><a class="btn primary-negative" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/592642240/OOTS-guidance-Q3-2022.pdf" onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent','conversion','home-page','oots-guidance-presentation'])"><span>Download OOTS Guidance Presentation</span><span class="ico-download"> </span></a></p> 
</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>

</div>
<div class="cols">
<div class="col-8">
<h2>Once-Only Technical System Projectathons</h2>
<p class="p-spacing">Since 2023, the Commission has been organising Once-Only Technical System Projectathons. These are three-day events where national teams connect various systems and perform a marathon of peer-to-peer interoperability and compliance tests in a structured environment.</p>
<p>Discover more details about Projectathons and explore the steps you need to take to actively participate in the upcoming Projectathons.</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Projectathons"><span>Go to Projectathons</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="card-upcoming-cols">

<!--CARD 01-->
<div class="card-upcoming-col p6">
<div class="card-upcoming">
<div class="card-upcoming-body">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/892469638/illu-introduction-projectathon-06.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<h3>Projectathon #6</h3> 
<p>The June 2025 Projectathon supported Member States that were (nearly) production-ready to enable end-to-end transactions, while assisting those catching up to enhance their technical readiness or retest the updates to their systems. This Projectathon also supported the onboarding of competent authorities, in particular those in the population, education and business domains as well as those interested in testing and/or close to going live.</p>
</div>
<div class="card-upcoming-footer">
<!--<p style="display:flex; margin-bottom:6px;"><span class="badge warning"><span>Upcoming event</span></span></p>-->
<p class="card-upcoming-date">11 - 12 June, 2025 | Brussels</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Projectathon6" onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent','conversion','oots-event-projectathon-6','button-read-more-home-page'])"><span>Go to Projectathon #6</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!---->

<!--CARD 02-->
<div class="card-upcoming-col p5">
<div class="card-upcoming">
<div class="card-upcoming-body">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/781287497/illu-card-projectathon-05.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<h3>Projectathon #5</h3> 
<p>The November 2024 Projectathon was a thematic event with a focus on Vehicle Registries and Business-related procedures, targeting this specific set of Competent Authorities.</p>
</div>
<div class="card-upcoming-footer">
<p class="card-upcoming-date">20 - 22 November, 2024 | Brussels</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Projectathon5" onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent','conversion','oots-event-projectathon-5','button-read-more-home-page'])"><span>Go to Projectathon #5</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>
<!--<p style="display:flex; justify-content: end; align-items: end; height:48px;"><span class="badge warning"><img alt="" aria-hidden="true" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/645595199/ico-coming-soon-warning.svg"><span>Coming soon</span></span></p>-->
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!---->

</div>

<div class="cols common-supporting-services justify-content-center align-items-center">

<div class="col-6">
<h2>Common and supporting services</h2>
<p>To provide comprehensive support and proper exchange of evidence between Data Services and Online Procedure Portals, the Once-Only Technical System uses Once-Only common services and additional supporting services.</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Common+and+Supporting+services"><span>Go to common &  supporting services</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>
</div>

<div class="col-5">
<p class="technical-design-documentation-illu text-center"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-common-and-supporting-services.png"></p>
</div>

</div>

<div class="cols technical-design-documentation justify-content-center align-items-center">

<div class="col-5">
<p class="technical-design-documentation-illu text-center"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-technical-design-documentation.png"></p>
</div>

<div class="col-6">
<h2>Technical design documentation</h2>
<p>The technical and operational specifications of the Once-Only Technical System, are complemented by detailed, non-binding technical design documents jointly prepared by the Commission and Member States.</p>
<p><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Technical+Design+Documents"><span>Go to Technical design documentation</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a></p>
</div>

</div>
<h2>Latest news</h2>

<div class="news-grid"></div>
<a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/News+and+Interviews"><span>Go to news</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>
<div class="container"> 

<img aria-hidden="true" alt="" class="collaborate-with-us-img" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-launch-rocket.png"> 
<h2>Collaborate with us</h2>

<div class="cols gap-lg">
<div class="col-4">
<h3 class="h5">SDG Once-Only Collaborative Space</h3>
<p class="opacity-75">In the context of the Once-Only Technical System, the mission of this <a target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=3639">group</a> is to coordinate the implementation work around the setup of the Once-Only Technical System. The members of this group are the Member States (and other public entities). This groups is only accessible by representatives of the Member States (and other public entities).</p>
<!--<p><a class="btn primary-negative" target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=3639"><span>Visit our space</span><span class="ico-cta"></span></a></p>-->
<p class="ico-next-to before"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/581239505/ico-lock-secondary.svg"><span><a class="restricted-space-link" target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/wikis/display/SDGOO/SDG+OOTS+-+Home+Page">Restricted space</a></span></p> 
</div>

<div class="col-4 col-separator-before">
<h3 class="h5">Sub-groups</h3>
<p class="opacity-75">Six sub-groups have been set-up to examine specific topics related to the Once-Only Technical System and are expected to report to the Single Digital Gateway Coordination Group. They enable the participation of all Member States in the discussion and ensure the work done by Member State experts is monitored. The sub-groups can only be joined by experts officially nominated by their National Coordinators.</p>
<p class="ico-next-to before"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/581239505/ico-lock-secondary.svg"><span><a class="restricted-space-link" target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/wikis/display/SDGOO/Sub-groups+-+SDG+OOTS">Restricted space</a></span></p>    
</div>
</div>

<div class="cols">
<div class="col-6">
<h3 class="h5">OOTS Projectathon collaborative space</h3>
<p class="opacity-75">The objective of this space is to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas between stakeholders in an open and transparent environment. It will mainly serve to promote the Implementers Café series in preparation of the Projectathons. Space users should be implementers of the Once-Only Technical System.</p>

<ul class="collaborate-with-us-list-link">
<li class="ico-next-to before"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/581239505/ico-lock-secondary.svg"><span><a class="restricted-space-link" target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/wikis/pages/viewpage.action?spaceKey=OOTSICS&title=OOTS+Projectathon+collaborative+space">Access this restricted space</a></span></li>

<li class="ico-next-to before"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/581239505/ico-live-help-secondary.svg"><span><a class="restricted-space-link" target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/tracker/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/15/create/295">Request access (via Service Desk)</a></span></li>     
</ul>
</div>
</div>


</div>
<p class="service-desk-p-img"><img aria-hidden="true" alt="" class="img-mobile" src="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/565379323/illu-service-desk.png"></p>
<div class="col-5">
<h2>Service desk</h2>
<p>The Service Desk helps users improve the performance, continuity and reliability of their Once-Only Technical System implementations.</p>
<p class="service-desk-cta"><a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/Service+Desk"><span>Contact the Service Desk</span></a></p>
</div>
<div class="cols">
<div>

<h2>Once-Only Technical System in use</h2>

</div>
</div>

<div class="card-monitoring-cols">

<!--CARD 01-->
<div class="card-monitoring-col">
<div class="card-monitoring">
<div class="card-monitoring-header">
<h3>Projectathons</h3>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body">
<div class="card-monitoring-body-number"><div class="card-monitoring-body-number-inner"><span>26</span><span>Member States</span></div></div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body-content"><p>Number of Member States participating in the last OOTS Projectathon.</p></div>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-footer">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!---->

<!--CARD 02-->
<div class="card-monitoring-col">
<div class="card-monitoring">
<div class="card-monitoring-header">
<h3>Common Services</h3>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body">
<div class="card-monitoring-body-number"><div class="card-monitoring-body-number-inner"><span>27</span><span>Member States</span></div></div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body-content"><p>Number of Member States connected to Commission-provided Common Services.</p></div>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-footer">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!---->

<!--CARD 03-->
<div class="card-monitoring-col">
<div class="card-monitoring">
<div class="card-monitoring-header">
<h3>Testing Services</h3>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body">
<div class="card-monitoring-body-number"><div class="card-monitoring-body-number-inner"><span>26</span><span>Member States</span></div></div>
<div class="card-monitoring-body-content"><p>Number of Member States connected to Testing Services.</p></div>
</div>
<div class="card-monitoring-footer">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!---->

</div>

<div class="col monitoring-cta">
<div>

<a class="btn ghost" href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/OOTS+Monitoring+Dashboard?ref=overview"><span>Go to main dashboard</span><span class="ico-cta-forward"></span></a>

</div>
</div>
<script>
    document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', ev => {

        const items = [];

        const contentByLabel = document.querySelector('#latest-news .content-by-label');
        const newsList = document.querySelector('#latest-news .news-grid');

        populateArray();
        sortFun('desc');
        addDomElements();

        contentByLabel.remove();


        // functions -----------------------------
        function populateArray() {
            Array.from(contentByLabel.children).forEach(element => {
                try {
                    const arTitle = element.querySelector('.details > a').innerText;
                    const arLink = `https://ec.europa.eu${element.querySelector('.details > a').getAttribute('href')}`;
                    const arTime = formatTime(element.querySelector('.details time').getAttribute('datetime'));
                    const sortableTime = new Date(element.querySelector('.details time').getAttribute('datetime'));
                    const arPreview = element.querySelector('.details .exc-preview').innerText;

                    const domElement = document.createElement('div');
                    domElement.classList.add('news-item');
                    domElement.innerHTML = `
                            <img loading="lazy" class="article-preview" src="${arPreview}" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
                            <div class="article-details">
                                <h3 class="article-title">${arTitle}</h3>
                                <p class="article-date"><img alt="Publication date" src="/digital-building-blocks/sites/download/attachments/760938508/ico-date.svg"/> ${arTime}</p>
                                <a class="article-link link-cta primary after" href="${arLink}"><span>Read article</span></a>
                            </div>
                        `;

                    items.push({
                        arTitle: arTitle,
                        arLink: arLink,
                        arTime: arTime,
                        sortableTime: sortableTime,
                        arPreview: arPreview,
                        arDOMElement: domElement
                    });
                } catch (err) { }
            });

        }

        function formatTime(timetxt) {
            const date = new Date(timetxt);
            const monthName = date.toLocaleString('en-US', { month: 'long' });
            const datetxt = `${date.getDate()} ${monthName} ${date.getFullYear()}`;
            return datetxt;
        }

        function sortFun(type) {
            if (type === 'desc') {
                items.sort((a, b) => {
                    return a.sortableTime < b.sortableTime ? 1 : -1
                });
                return;
            }
            items.sort((a, b) => {
                return a.sortableTime > b.sortableTime ? 1 : -1
            });
        }

        function addDomElements() {
            let num = 3;
            for (let index = 0; index < num; index++) {
                let element = items[index];
                if(!element) break;

                newsList.appendChild(element.arDOMElement);
            }
        }
    });
</script>
<script>

/*--- SCRIPT ONLY FOR THIS PAGE ---*/

/*--- SEO ADD TAG META NAME DESCRIPTION ---*/
var metaNameDescription = document.createElement('meta');
metaNameDescription.setAttribute('name', 'description');
metaNameDescription.content = "Discover the Once-Only Hub: secure, efficient cross-border document exchange in the EU. Simplify admin tasks, reduce costs, and enhance mobility in the Single Market thanks to the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS).";
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(metaNameDescription);  

</script>