Representatives from the road, air, maritime, rail, and manufacturing in both passenger mobility and logistics sectors call on European decision makers to adopt an EU framework on the governance of business-to-business (B2B) data that ensures a level playing field for all partners in the digital economy.

Following recent innovations, the transport sector relies increasingly on the exchange of large amounts of personal and non-personal data between multiple actors. These innovations include the development of vehicles’ automated functions, connected vehicles, smart cities and digital mobility platforms. These solutions have led to an increase in data generation with transport operators typically generating data and technology companies processing and using these data.

In a joint statement sent to EU decision makers, associations representing passenger and goods transport sectors, call for the establishment of an EU framework on the governance of B2B data. The framework should explicitly include the principle of voluntary provision of data and clarify the roles and responsibilities of data aggregators and the rights of data generators. The EU should also provide a guidance to standardise data formats and facilitate the interoperability of mobility platforms.

“Transport operators are major data generators, but their data knowledge and preparedness are at a very early stage. This creates an imbalance compared to the expertise and data power of data aggregators. Responsibilities of data aggregators and rights of data generators have to be clarified in an EU framework to ensure a level playing field for all actors”

Raluca Marian (IRU General Delegate to the EU)

The impact of digitalisation on businesses should not be underestimated, especially in the case of SMEs. For a successful digital transformation, businesses need to upskill their workforce and will require financial support if they are to benefit from the opportunities of the data economy.

“The road transport sector in the EU provides directly over 5 million jobs, of which 80% are in SMEs. These firms need to train their employees, upgrade their infrastructure and adapt their processes. Without support, this vital part of the European economy will be left behind as we move towards a more digital economy,” continued Raluca Marian. 

The transport sector stands ready to cooperate with EU institutions on digitalisation issues to ensure equal opportunities for all business partners in the digital economy through fair and transparent EU regulation.

“The EU has the opportunity to take the lead on regulating B2B data to ensure all businesses can remain competitive in the digital economy. This should ultimately provide a global reference“ concluded Raluca Marian.

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Source: IRU