Development of framework and methodology for prioritisation of the revision of existing legislation for digital-readiness

The European Commission supported the development of resilient, innovative, and human-centric digital government services, with the purpose of developing a framework and methodology for the revision of existing legislation for digital-readiness. The project aimed at the development and implementation of a framework to increase the digital-readiness in Danish legislation in support of an effort to systematically review existing legislation.

Context

Denmark has pursued digital-ready legislation since 2018, mandating new laws undergo assessments for digital compatibility, overseen by a dedicated secretariat. Over 800 laws and 340 proposals have been screened, but pre-2018 legislation remains largely unreviewed, hampering digital innovation. Denmark sought support from the European Commission under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) to develop a framework for revising older laws for digital readiness. The OECD, leveraging its regulatory expertise, is assisting with this initiative, aligning efforts with the EU’s goals for digital transformation, resilience, and innovation, as outlined in the “2030 Digital Compass” and Denmark’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Support delivered

The OECD, with EU funding under the Structural Reform Support Programme, partnered with Denmark’s Agency for Digital Government and other ministries to enhance digital-readiness in legislation. Activities included mapping regulatory practices, analysing frameworks, developing prioritisation methodologies, and conducting trials in select ministries. Stakeholder workshops and training sessions supported these efforts, culminating in reports, action plans, and communication materials. The project, based in Paris with key events in Copenhagen, aimed to modernise governance and streamline services, aligning with EU digital targets for 2030. This initiative lays the foundation for Denmark's systematic review of non-digital-ready laws and sustained digital transformation.

Results achieved

The project enhanced internal processes, methodologies, and organisational coordination, driving the digital transformation of public administration. A key achievement was the Agency for Digitisation's adoption of a sustainable methodology to identify non-digital-ready legislation, aligning laws with digitalisation demands. Ministries launched a five-year programme to prioritise and revise such legislation, improving interoperability and public service delivery. This structured approach strengthened intergovernmental collaboration for cohesive reform. These accomplishments align with the goal of improving internal procedures and processes, establishing a robust foundation for sustained digital governance progress and fostering a more modern and efficient legislative framework.

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