Votes · 6 October 2026
Simplification of certain requirements for spatial information infrastructure in the Union (INSPIRE) (Omnibus VIII on environmental legislation)
This vote is about simplifying EU rules on sharing geographic data (INSPIRE directive).
Background
The INSPIRE directive (2007) requires public authorities to share their environmental geographic data: maps, land registers, protected areas… As part of an environmental simplification package (“Omnibus VIII”), the Commission wants to remove many of its technical rules. With this vote Parliament adopted its position and referred it back to committee to negotiate with Member States: it is not yet the final text.
- Removes technical rules considered redundant (interoperability, network services, data sharing and charging, reporting).
- Data would be available through the EU open data portal (data.europa.eu), under the general open-data rules.
- Obligations to describe the data (metadata) are kept.
Adopted: 515 for, 108 against, 35 abstentions, 61 did not vote.
Reference: A10-0233/2026