Open standards for software in the public sector
On basis of a previous parliament decision on open standards for software, the Danish Parliament concluded in January 2010 the introduction of new demands to open mandatory standards for document formats.
The previous parliament decision entails that the Danish Government must ensure that use of information technology in the public sector, including use of software, is based on open standards. The requirement for use of open standards applies to procurement of new software and major updates and should be cost-neutral as described in the existing criteria for the public sector.
New demands
The new demands entails among other things the creation of a list of approved open mandatory standards for document standards. Taking effect from 1 April 2011 it will be mandatory for all governmental authorities to send and receive document formats on the list. Authorities are defined here as departments and agencies, etc.
The Government will issue negotiations with municipalities and regions for the purpose to implement the obligation on editable documents for all public authorities with regards to the "comply or explain" principle.
Further more, taking effect in 2010 it will be mandatory for all public authorities that documents, which are to be read but not edited, will be send to citizens and businesses in PDF/A-1. Same principle applies when authorities publish documents, which are to be read but not edited, on official websites.
Background
Since 1 January 2008 it has been mandatory for all public authorities to use a number of open standards for all new public IT solutions. This implies that public authorities are required to make sure that future IT solutions are based on, or support, these mandatory open standards.
This is the result of an agreement concluded by the Government with Danish Regions and Local Government Denmark following discussions with the IT spokesmen of the political parties in September 2007.
