Today (11 January) marks the entry into force of the EU Data Act, marking significant milestone in streamlining data switching and porting for cloud customers and promoting interoperability to encourage the adoption of multi-cloud solutions.
We would once again like to thank the EU co-legislators for engaging with CISPE during the legislative process and for taking the insights and expertise of our members into account in the final version of the text. Although not always without healthy debate, we believe that through constructive, open and honest dialogue, we managed to achieve a reasonable compromise that will help both cloud providers and customers and contribute to a more competitive EU cloud ecosystem.
As announced last year, CISPE is in the process of developing an initiative aimed at assisting cloud infrastructure service providers in complying with the new rules. The new framework will permit European CISPs to declare and promote services that adhere to the Data Act’s portability rules, thereby allowing cloud customers to select the services of their choice without fear of lock-in effects, even before the entry into application of the new legislation in September 2025. Our aim is to have hundreds of services, from the smallest SMEs to the largest hyperscalers, declared in the coming months.
To make the development of the framework inclusive and transparent, we intend to involve the widest possible range of stakeholders involved – and this includes not only providers, but also customers from the public and private sectors, who will benefit most from the revised rules. Therefore, if you are a cloud provider – even if not a Member of CISPE – or cloud customer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to be involved in the process.
Our long-term goal is to make these specifications the new industry standard for data switching and porting, including by undergoing a formal standardization process in one of the European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs), and ultimately to help it become a global benchmark.
Stay tuned for further updates.