European interoperability framework (EIF) : towards interoperability for European public services

Interoperability, within the context of European public service delivery, is the ability of disparate and diverse organisations to interact towards mutually beneficial and agreed common goals, involving the sharing of information and knowledge between the organisations, through the business processes they support, by means of the exchange of data between their respective ICT systems. Interoperability for European public services is key to the development of a digital single market, allowing information to be exchanged easily and swiftly across borders, helping citizens and businesses to fully benefit from the freedoms of the European single market. European public services operate in a complex and changing environment - due, for example, to changing legislation, needs of businesses or citizens, organisation of public administrations, business processes or technologies - and ensuring interoperability between the different components is a continuous task. As a fundamental element of the European Commission Communication 'Towards interoperability for European public services', the European Interoperability Frame work (EIF) supports this goal, alongside the European Interoperability Strategy (EIS). This brochure briefly illustrates how the EIF defines a common approach to effective interoperability, and outlines guidance and principles to help European public administrations to collaborate together in designing and delivering high quality European public services.