Final report on the study supporting the implementation of interoperability assessments in EU public administrations

This report supports the implementation of Interoperability Assessments (IOPAs), as introduced by the Interoperable Europe Act, which requires public administrations to assess the impact of newly introduced or substantially modified binding requirements on cross-border interoperability of digital public services before any decision is taken. IOPAs are intended to embed interoperability-by-design into policymaking, contributing to more consistent, user-centred, and future-proof public services across the EU. The study, commissioned by the European Commission and conducted over eleven months, identifies key challenges and enabling factors that may affect the implementation of IOPAs. Some of these elements were further explored through eight case studies, which informed a set of 34 actionable recommendations aimed at supporting effective and impactful implementation. A central conclusion of the study is that the foundational elements needed to begin conducting assessments are already in place, and public administrations are encouraged to begin implementation using the tools and guidance currently available. At the same time, additional tools, resources, and capacity-building efforts can strengthen and scale the practice over time. Delivering on these recommendations will require a shared commitment from the European Commission, the Interoperable Europe Board, and Member State authorities-each playing a key role in ensuring successful and coordinated uptake.