An assessment of high-value datasets: How accessible are these
datasets across Europe?
Recently, we published our study ‘High-value datasets: Cross-country
findability and comparability of metada
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/report/High-value%20Dataset%20Findability%20and%20Metadata%20Accessibility.pdf]’,
which highlights the critical need for improved findability and
metadata accessibility of high-value datasets (HVDs) across European
Union Member States. Conducted between April and May 2024, before the
Commission Implementing Regulation
[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/138/oj] in force since
June 2024, the study evaluates the availability and usability of 24
datasets from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. It focuses on six
thematic categories: geospatial, earth observation and environment,
meteorological, statistics, companies and company ownership, and
mobility.  

The study reveals that while most HVDs are generally accessible, there
are significant inconsistencies in metadata clarity and language. For
instance, 6 out of 24 datasets were published only in the national
language, creating a translation difficulty for international users.
Additionally, eight of the datasets lacked references to relevant
regulations, complicating efforts to verify compliance. Despite these
challenges, the study found that 20 out of 24 datasets were easily
available. 

To address these issues, the report recommends several actions for
Member States. These include referencing the regulation in metadata,
using standardised dataset titles, enriching metadata with detailed
descriptions, and adhering to DCAT-AP guidelines for structured
metadata. Implementing these recommendations would significantly
improve the findability and usability of HVDs, facilitating better
data sharing and reuse across the EU. Additionally, the report
contains a section on the user’s experience with finding HVD’s on
our data.europa.eu platform [https://data.europa.eu/en].  

In conclusion, the study emphasises the need for a harmonised approach
to metadata standardisation and dataset tagging. By adopting the
recommended practices, Member States can enhance the accessibility and
interoperability of high-value datasets, ultimately supporting
transparency and innovation in various sectors. 

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Publication Date/Time
2024-10-25T08:00:00+00:00
An assessment of high-value datasets: How accessible are these
datasets across Europe?