Worldwide access, European principles

Standardization is crucial for global exchange because it enables interoperability, reduces technical barriers, and enhances trade. It helps businesses reduce costs, enter global markets, and ensure quality products for consumers. It facilitates innovation, minimizes R&D risks, and supports environmental protection. Additionally, it allows companies to influence regulations and stay competitive by adapting to market trends.

Given the established position of IDS as de facto standards, it is vital to improve go-to-market strategies and increase maturity by aligning IDSA assets with relevant standardization bodies.

This effort is at the forefront of everything we do at IDSA. Our members, the IDSA working groups and the standardization coordination group, as well as the IDSA technical team, work diligently with key bodies at ISO, CEN/CENELEC and W3C and advise the European Commission on advancing global standards for data spaces.

Our standardization efforts are fueled by the IDSA members and technical staff’s commitment, who actively participate in standards committees to shape and lead the development of data spaces. Central to these efforts are the IDS Reference Architecture Model, the IDSA Rulebook, and the Dataspace Protocol, which are key in setting technical specifications and fostering interoperability.

In collaboration with the Eclipse Foundation, we’ve launched the Eclipse Dataspace Working Group (EDWG) to spearhead the creation of open-source software, components and specifications for data spaces. This partnership accelerates the development of the Dataspace Protocol (DSP), aiming to establish it as an ISO Standard and enhance global data sharing and sovereignty. The EDWG aligns technical efforts with universal standards, leveraging global developer networks to ensure interoperability and trust in data spaces.

On the international front, initiatives like IEEE P3800 and various ISO JTC1 activities underscore the growing importance of data spaces in global standardization, requiring collaboration across sectors. In Europe, the focus is on aligning with regulations such as the Digital Markets Act and the Data Governance Act, with collaborative efforts in CEN/CENELEC addressing the region’s specific needs through initiatives like the Data, Dataspaces, Cloud and Edge Focus Group, aiming to harmonize standards across the digital economy.

The European Commission (EC), through the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on ICT Standardization and the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC), works to align EU policy priorities with standardization efforts. IDSA’s contributions to data interoperability and the Dataspace Protocol are integrated into broader regulatory and standardization frameworks.