Public data interoperability in Spain takes a significant step forward with the adoption of the new application profile DCAT-AP-ES, which modernizes the Technical Standard for the Interoperability of Resource Reuse (NTI-RISP) approved in 2013. This update positions Spain at the forefront of the data economy in Europe, aligning standards with current demands for transparency, innovation, and digital transformation.
A legal framework dating back to 2013
The NTI-RISP originated from the development of the Law 37/2007 on reuse of public sector information, in line with the Royal Decree 1495/2011. The Official State Bulletin (BOE) published the technical standard in February 2013, outlining how to select, describe, publish, and make administration data available for reuse. Shortly thereafter, in June of the same year, a corrections notice was issued to refine examples and metadata structures.
This framework was pioneering, but rapid technological advancements and the consolidation of the data economy within the European Union have necessitated a thorough update.
DCAT-AP-ES: Alignment with Europe
The new standard incorporates the application profile DCAT-AP-ES, based on the European standard DCAT-AP 2.1.1 and its extension for High-Value Datasets (HVD, High-Value Datasets) 2.2.0. It is a common vocabulary designed to describe catalogs and open datasets, ensuring cross-border interoperability.
With this evolution, Spain ensures that data published on regional, local, and national portals can seamlessly integrate into the European data federation, fostering reuse and enabling the development of innovative services.
Key updates in the new profile
The DCAT-AP-ES profile introduces several important enhancements:
- Advanced metadata to describe datasets and services, including APIs and web services.
- Compatibility with high-value datasets, particularly in sectors such as mobility, statistics, geospatial, meteorology, Earth observation, and business.
- Provenance and quality management, with properties for versioning and lifecycle, and validation through SHACL.
- Controlled vocabularies for licenses, formats, and languages, improving data discovery and searchability.
- Roles and governance, with clear definitions of agents (creator, publisher, contact point).
Benefits for the data economy
The update is more than just technical. Its impact directly strengthens the data economy in Spain and Europe:
- Facilitates the creation of federated data platforms that serve as foundations for artificial intelligence projects and advanced digital services.
- Enhances transparency and citizen trust by improving data traceability and quality.
- Opens new opportunities for startups and tech companies, which can incorporate interoperable public data into their solutions.
- Supports compliance with European commitments on open data, as outlined in Directive (EU) 2019/1024 on open data and reuse of public sector information.
Spain, from pioneer to leader
Spain was an early mover in 2021 by adopting the Digital Rights Charter, extending fundamental rights protections into the online sphere. Now, with the update of NTI-RISP and the deployment of DCAT-AP-ES, the country reinforces its role as a leader in public data governance.
In a context where the European Commission promotes sector-specific common data spaces (health, energy, mobility), the technical interoperability provided by DCAT-AP-ES will be crucial for effectively integrating Spanish data into the European ecosystem.
Sources consulted
- BOE-A-2013-2380: Resolution of February 19, 2013, approving NTI-RISP.
- BOE-A-2013-5858: Corrections to the NTI-RISP.
- Official Spanish open data portal: datos.gob.es.
- European Commission, DCAT-AP 2.1.1 and extension DCAT-AP-HVD 2.2.0.
via: datos.gob.es