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Enhancing metadata quality across Europe: Introducing the MQA tool

Empowering open data through smarter, simplified metadata monitoring

The European Data Portal is committed to enhancing data literacy and making open data as accessible as possible for all users. A contributor to this mission is the Metadata Quality Assessment (MQA) tool, which plays an important role in improving the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of public sector data across Europe.  

Designed to evaluate the quality of metadata harvested from national and regional data portals, the MQA tool provides a structured dashboard which assesses key indicators such as compliance with DCAT-AP standards, machine readability and licensing clarity. What sets the MQA apart is its dual function as both a monitoring and validation tool. It goes beyond identifying gaps in metadata quality by providing users with actionable insights to improve their datasets prior to integration. Through regular harvesting and automated checks, the MQA ensures that metadata remains current and reliable, supporting the broader goal of establishing an interoperable European data ecosystem. 

The MQA tool helps ensure that open data published on the European Data Portal meets high standards of metadata quality. This enables researchers, policymakers, and other users to confidently rely on accurate data to drive innovation and informed decision-making. By aligning with open data best practices, the MQA contributes to a more user-friendly and transparent data infrastructure across Europe. 

For open data enthusiasts, the MQA tool offers valuable insights into the quality of European public sector data. Explore the Metadata Quality Dashboard, validate your datasets, and contribute to a more transparent and interoperable data landscape. 

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