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Instructions re use of open standards published by Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (and approved by the European Commission)

Within the (semi-) public sector the use of open standards since April 1 this year is no longer optional. These are also summarized in a single instruction for the National Government that is published in the Official Gazette on November 21th.

The Cabinet-wide agreements were in force since April 1, 2008, but are now also officially published and accepted by the European Commission. The instruction specifies how the government to proceed with the purchase of ICT services and ICT products. The core principle is to 'apply-or-explain'. This means that public procurement of ICT in principle should be based on open standards. Open standards are ICT standards that everyone can use freely. An example is the ODF (Open Document Format), a standard for exchanging text files. This can only be waived in some exceptional cases, such as when the management of the relevant department is at risk.

Governments can choose from a list of open standards. If no standard is chosen from the list, while the list does specify a standard, it must be argued why the standard is not chosen. The instruction would also serve as an example for co-operation of governments and quasi-public institutions. The agency Netherlands Open in Connection advises re the use of open standards and will monitor its application. Through the website Forum Standardization the list with usable open standards can be consulted.

The aim of the handling of more open standards is to increase interoperability and reduce dependence on the government of fixed software suppliers. Greater use of open standards will over time contribute to higher quality of public services, simplify the exchange of information between government agencies with citizens and businesses and government organizations, sustainable development and more efficient data storage and management of ICT systems.

See Dutch original in Read more below: