Národní geoportál INSPIRE

Member States shall ensure that metadata are created for the spatial data sets and services corresponding to the themes listed in Annexes I, II and III, and that those metadata are kept up to date in accordance with Article 5 (1) of the INSPIRE Directive. The requirements for the creation and maintenance of this metadata are described in Regulation 1205/2008 and in the Technical Guidelines for metadata.

Datasets in scope of INSPIRE are ones which come under one or more of the 34 spatial data themes set out in the INSPIRE Directive. Interoperability in INSPIRE means the possibility to combine spatial data and services from different sources across the European Community. Interoperability may be achieved by either changing (harmonising) and storing existing data sets or transforming them via services for publication in the INSPIRE infrastructure. The common data models, code lists, map layers and additional metadata on the interoperability to be used when exchanging spatial datasets are set out in the Interoperability and Technical Guidelines (Data Specification). While the Implementing Rules specify what must be implemented at an abstract and generic level, the non-binding Technical Guidelines specify how legal obligations could be implemented to maximise the cross-border and cross-thematic interoperability of INSPIRE spatial data sets and services as well as guaranteeing  interoperability with other sectors.

INSPIRE Network Services specify common interfaces for web services (discovery services, view services, download services, transformation services, services allowing spatial data services to be invoked). Regulation 976/2009 and Technical Guidelines for network services provide the technical specifications for the network services necessary to implement the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive.

The interoperability of spatial data services is characterised by the capability to communicate, execute or transfer data among them. Therefore the spatial data services need to be further documented with additional metadata.

Principles for sharing of spatial data sets and services between public authorities within and Member States, on the other hand, are contained directly in the Directive and Regulation 268/2010. The definition of the concrete measures to be implemented to this end is left to the responsibility of each Member State and is not within the scope of these implementing rules.In parallel with the definition of the formal Regulation, technical guidelines have been developed. They are intended as a document helping Member States to implement the Regulation on INSPIRE Data and Service Sharing, and also contain non binding instruments, such as model contracts, and illustrate related concepts such as framework agreements. A second supporting document provides examples of good practice related to sharing within and between Member States.
The main points of the Regulation are the following:

• metadata must include the conditions applying to access and use for Community institutions and bodies;
• member States are requested to provide access to spatial data sets and services without delay and at the latest within 20 days after receipt of a written request;
• if data or services can be accessed under payment, Community institutions and bodies have the possibility to request Member States to provide information on how charges have been calculated;
• while fully safe-guarding the right of Member States to limit sharing when this would compromise the course of justice, public security, national defence or international relations Member States are encouraged to find the means to still give access to sensitive data under restricted conditions, (e.g. providing generalized datasets) Upon request, Member States should give reasons for these limitations to sharing.