Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point

The Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point helps private individuals and authorities to set up trustworthy data spaces. It also ensures that these data spaces operate according to shared principles and are mutually compatible. The contact point is located in the Federal Chancellery.

The Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point is aimed equally at stakeholders from the public and private sectors. It helps to ensure that Swiss data spaces are all developed in a similar way and that they are trustworthy and mutually compatible. It promotes new ideas for the continuing development of the Swiss data ecosystem.

The contact point helps entities to set up data rooms and coordinates cooperation between them. It provides support and advice in the following areas:

• Legal and technical issues relating to Swiss data space projects from the private sector and public authorities
• Organisation of communities of practice and other formats in which data space operators and participants in Switzerland can exchange ideas with each other
• Development of tools and models that make data spaces secure and enable connections within and between them
• Publication of architecture and governance guidelines on the Data Ecosystem Switzerland website (e.g.: Data space building blocks)
• Publication of aids and instructions to help achieve interoperability and trustworthiness of data spaces at home and abroad (e.g: Code of conduct for operating trustworthy data spaces (OFCOM))
• Transfer of existing data space applications and infrastructures for reuse (prototypes, de, fr, it)
• Identification of international standards to examine how they can be applied to the data ecosystem in Switzerland
• Implementation of innovation formats (e.g.: GovTech Hackathon 2024)

Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point: Action framework and structure

The Federal Chancellery can issue binding directives on digitalisation issues within the Federal Administration. However, current leglislation does not permit the creation of such binding rules for data spaces outside the Federal Administration. Cantons and private individuals may apply the guidelines voluntarily.

The Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point is operated jointly by the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Office of Communications, the Federal Statistical Office and the Directorate of International Law. The Federal Chancellery has the lead.

Do you have any questions about setting up or running data spaces in Switzerland? Please do not hesitate to contact the Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point: [e-mail]

History

• On 11 September 2020, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Office of Communications, the Directorate of International Law, the Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Chancellery to submit a report on the requirements for trustworthy data spaces and digital self-determination by the end of 2021.
• On the basis of this report on 30 March 2022 the Federal Council issued measures to promote trustworthy data spaces and digital self-determination.
• On 8 December 2023, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Chancellery, together with the Federal Office of Communications, the Federal Statistical Office and the Directorate of International Law, to establish a central contact point for the Swiss data ecosystem (de, fr, it).
• Start of operations of the Swiss Data Ecosystem Contact Point in January 2025 to coordinate and support Swiss data spaces.

Further information

Media

15.01.2025

Swiss data ecosystem: Contact point becomes operational