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Omnibus VIII – Simplifying rules for the EU′s spatial information infrastructure (INSPIRE)
Omnibus VIII – Simplifying rules for the EU′s spatial information infrastructure (INSPIRE)
Vivienne Halleux, Members' Research Service
Summary
During its October I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on its mandate for negotiations with the Council on a targeted revision of the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) Directive. The proposal is one of the six files in the eighth omnibus package, tabled by the European Commission in December 2025 with the aim of simplifying EU environmental rules to reduce administrative burden.
Translations are available for this publication.
Statement of purpose
First-reading report: 2025/0393(COD); Committee responsible: ENVI; Rapporteur: Emma Wiesner (Renew, Sweden). For further information see the Legislative Train Schedule.
Background
Adopted in 2007, the INSPIRE Directiveaims to establish an EU-wide infrastructure for accessing, exchanging, sharing and using spatial data relevant to environmental policies, based on the infrastructure already established and operated by Member States. To this end, the directive sets both organisational rules, notably for coordination among public administrations, and technical requirements (for instance on metadata, data specifications, network services for viewing, searching and downloading data, and interoperability of spatial data services). The directive applies to data held by or on behalf of a public authority or another body using the network; such data are categorised under 34 themes. The last evaluation of INSPIRE found that the existing framework, while still relevant, could be streamlined and modernised.
European Commission proposal
The proposal seeks to align the INSPIRE Directive with more recent horizontal EU data legislation, mainly to reduce duplication with the Open Data Directive. To avoid overlapping provisions, the Commission suggests deleting technical interoperability specifications, network-service and data-sharing requirements, and conditions for public authorities to apply charges for spatial datasets. Proposed changes also include removing duplicative reporting obligations; and incorporating spatial datasets into the main European data portal as a central access point, instead of running a separate INSPIRE geoportal as before.
Council negotiating mandate
The Council adopted its position on 24 June 2026. The Council mandate aims to clarify certain terms and definitions, and to reintroduce data sharing between public authorities and minimum interoperability requirements for seamless data use. It also suggests clarifications regarding limitations on public access to spatial data sets and services for grounds such as public security, and regarding the experts assisting the European Commission in coordinating INSPIRE at EU level.
European Parliament position
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted its report on 10 September 2026, with 58 votes in favour, 9 against and 3 abstentions. Recalling the importance of environmental information for evidence-based decision making, the report stresses the need to preserve comparability, consistency and interoperability of environmental spatial data across the EU while avoiding duplication with horizontal data legislation. Accordingly, the report seeks to retain within INSPIRE some of the provisions removed by the Commission, notably on interoperability, data sharing, network for spatial data services, and the possibility for voluntary third-party contributions, while simplifying/clarifying them.
Classification
Policy areas: Environment
Regions: European Union
Committees: Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI)
Statement on the use of AI
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Disclaimer
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