OpenForum Europe Response to UK Government Standards Survey

Released 24th May 2011

General Comments on the UK procurement policy and the Open Standards Survey

OpenForum Europe supports a strong stance on openness

OpenForum Europe (OFE) very much welcomes the recent UK procurement policy which takes a clear stance on openness and expresses the intention to mandate open standards in public procurement, and commends it for its leadership on this important issue. Mandating openness is both a key element in creating a level playing field between proprietary and open source licensed software solutions as per the Coalition programme - and a key requirement for communication between government bodies and the between government and its citizens that is not encumbered with potential legal and financial liabilities nor restricts their choice.