INSPIRE
The INSPIRE Directive aims to create a European Union spatial data infrastructure (SDI) for the purposes of environmental policies. This SDI will enable the sharing of environmental spatial information among public sector organisations, facilitate public access to spatial information and assist in policy-making across boundaries. INSPIRE is based on the infrastructures for spatial information established and operated by the 28 Member States of the European Union. The Directive addresses 34 spatial data themes needed for environmental applications. It came into force on 15 May 2007 and will be implemented in various stages, with full implementation required by 2021. INSPIRE is on a technical level based on international standards, mainly those developed by OGC and ISO. Data published by Member States under the scope of INSPIRE can be accessed on the INSPIRE Geoportal. The implementation of INSPIRE is coordinated by the European Commission (Directorate-General for Environment and Joint Research Centre) and the European Environment Agency.