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Norway

Electronic Public Records (OEP) – (Offentlig Elektronisk Postjournal) (NO0039)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Norway Action Plan 2013-2015

Action Plan Cycle: 2013

Status: Inactive

Institutions

Lead Institution: Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (Difi)

Support Institution(s): NA

Policy Areas

E-Government, Records Management, Right to Information

IRM Review

IRM Report: Norway End-of-Term Report 2014-2015

Starred: No

Early Results: Did Not Change

Design i

Verifiable: No

Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information

Potential Impact:

Implementation i

Completion:

Description

OEP is part of the Norwegian Government’s effort to promote transparency and
democracy within the public sector. OEP aims to make the Norwegian public sector
more open and accessible to citizens. OEP is tightly connected with the Freedom of
Information Act and its foundation is regulations related to the act.
Electronic Public Records (OEP) is a collaborative tool which central government
agencies use to publicize their public records online. Public record data are stored in
one searchable database. Users can search this database to locate case documents
relevant to their field of interest. Having located relevant case documents, users may
submit requests to view these. Requests are sent to the respective agencies responsible
for the case documents and public record entries. The agencies themselves then
process requests sent to them via OEP, and reply to users directly.

The OEP software has been developed on the basis of open source code, mainly based
on free software, and is therefore available to other levels of governments as well as
public and private institutions for re-use free of charge and without restrictions. The
solution is intended to be accessible to all kinds of user groups. It has been developed
in keeping with universal design principles and web development standards

IRM End of Term Status Summary

4. Electronic Public Record (OEP) - (Offentlig elektronisk postjournal)

Commitment Text:

[…]

Electronic Public Records (OEP) is a collaborative tool which central government agencies use to publicize their public records online. Public record data are stored in one searchable database. Users can search this database to locate case documents relevant to their field of interest. Having located relevant case documents, users may submit requests to view these. Requests are sent to the respective agencies responsible for the case documents and public record entries. The agencies themselves then process requests sent to them via OEP, and reply to users directly. […]

COMMITMENT DESCRIPTION
The OEP software has been developed on the basis of open source code, mainly based on free software, and is therefore available to other levels of governments as well as public and private institutions for re-use free of charge and without restrictions. The solution is intended to be accessible to all kinds of user groups. It has been developed in keeping with universal design principles and web development standards.

KEY IMPACT BENCHMARK
On request, Norway will share its experiences of OEP and the source code with other countries.

Responsible institution: Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (Difi)

Supporting institution(s): None

Start date: Ongoing           End date: Ongoing

Editorial note: The text of the commitments was abridged for formatting reasons. For the full text of the commitment, please see http://bit.ly/1QlVIja.

Policy Aim

The Electronic Public Record (OEP) - (Offentlig elektronisk postjournal) is a mechanism through which all public records and communications of public officials are archived and made available to citizens.[Note 26: “Om OEP,” Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (Difi), accessed September 4, 2016, https://www.oep.no/content/om-oep.] The mechanism is explicitly developed and implemented in an effort to promote openness and democratic principles in the Norwegian governance context and forms a central place in the Norwegian access to information regime, together with the Freedom of Information Act.[Note 27: Ibid. ] All government agencies that maintain electronic journals are mandated to participate in the mechanism; there are currently 122 agencies participating.[Note 28: Ibid. ]  This commitment aims to share Norwegian experiences in developing and implementing the OEP with international peers.

Status

Mid-term: Complete

This commitment was complete at the midterm and included participation in national and international conferences to share Norwegian experiences with OEP. Events included:

•       Parliaments in the Open Government Era (UiO/University Paris, Sorbonne)

•       Informasjonsforvaltning 2014, Foreningen for arkiv og informasjonsforvaltning (Sweden)

•       Tools for Improving Efficiency and Performance in the Public Sector (Germany)

•       LAPSI 2.0 (The European Thematic Network on Legal Aspects of Public Sector Information).

Did it open government?

Access to information: Did not change

Though it is not widely known among everyday citizens, journalists and civil society actors familiar with the OEP describe it as important for access to information, functional, and user friendly. Despite the strength of the OEP as a mechanism, the IRM researcher understands this commitment to be developed and implemented in relation to the sharing of OEP experiences internationally, which does not have a clear impact on government openness or access to information in Norway. Civil society representatives have suggested two ways in which the OEP could be strengthened: 1) stricter definitions and sanctions for what type of information must be logged in publically accessible journals, and 2) mapping the archives of what kinds of information are available.[Note 29: Nils Øy and Siri Gedde-Dahl, interview by Christopher Wilson, in-person meeting, Offices of the Norwegian Association of the Press, September 1, 2016.

Guro Slettemark, interview by Christopher Wilson, in-person meeting, Offices of the International Law and Policy Institute March, September 16, 2016.]

Carried forward?

This commitment has been carried forward in the Norwegian government’s third national action plan, under the following commitment heading: “Develop a new system solution for OEP to improve the security in OEP, streamline work processes in the public administration, and streamline the transparency work: A new solution with better capacity to accommodate larger amounts of data and with a new technical solution that will provide enhanced search features and improved user experiences.”

The action plan is available on the OGP website.[Note 30: ”Norway’s third action plan Open Government Partnership (OGP),” Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, accessed September 4, 2016, http://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2001/01/Norway_2016-17_NAP.pdf.]

Commitments

  1. Archiving Documents

    NO0054, 2019, Capacity Building

  2. Making Energy Statistics Available

    NO0055, 2019, E-Government

  3. e-Access and Expansion

    NO0056, 2019, Civic Space

  4. Open Cultural Data

    NO0057, 2019, E-Government

  5. Digital Spatial Planning

    NO0058, 2019, E-Government

  6. Streamline Public Procurement

    NO0059, 2019, E-Government

  7. Preventing Corruption

    NO0060, 2019, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  8. Beneficial Ownership Registry

    NO0061, 2019, Beneficial Ownership

  9. User Orientation

    NO0045, 2016, Capacity Building

  10. Electronic Public Records (OEP)

    NO0046, 2016, E-Government

  11. Transparency Regarding Environmental Information

    NO0047, 2016, E-Government

  12. Starred commitment Disclosure of Financial Data

    NO0048, 2016, E-Government

  13. Transparency Regarding Rainforest Funds

    NO0049, 2016, E-Government

  14. State Employees’ Ownership of Shares

    NO0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  15. Promote Freedom of Expression and Independent Media

    NO0051, 2016, Civic Space

  16. Country-By-Country Reporting

    NO0052, 2016, Extractive Industries

  17. Register for Ultimate Beneficial Ownership

    NO0053, 2016, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  18. Public Review and Public Consultation

    NO0020, 2013, Capacity Building

  19. Registering and Preserving Digital Documentation Produced by Public Bodies

    NO0021, 2013, E-Government

  20. The Norwegian Citizen Survey (Innbyggerundersøkelsen)

    NO0022, 2013, Public Participation

  21. Whistleblowing

    NO0023, 2013, Whistleblower Protections

  22. Strengthened Information Exchange for More Efficient Crime Prevention and Combating

    NO0024, 2013, Justice

  23. Strengthening the Transparency of Public Authorities and Administration

    NO0025, 2013, Capacity Building

  24. Egovernment with an End-User Focus

    NO0026, 2013, E-Government

  25. Plain Legal Language

    NO0027, 2013, Capacity Building

  26. Norwegian Grants Portal (MFA)

    NO0028, 2013, Aid

  27. An International Convention or Agreement on Financial Transparency

    NO0029, 2013, Private Sector

  28. Reducing Conflicts of Interests – Post-Employment Regulations

    NO0030, 2013, Conflicts of Interest

  29. Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector

    NO0031, 2013, Security

  30. A Better Overview of Committees, Boards and Councils – More Public Access to Information and Better Opportunities for Further Use

    NO0032, 2013, E-Government

  31. Modernizing Public Governance

    NO0033, 2013, Capacity Building

  32. Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues

    NO0034, 2013, Extractive Industries

  33. Transparency in the Management of the Government Pension Fund (GPF)

    NO0035, 2013, E-Government

  34. Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts

    NO0036, 2013, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  35. The Municipal Sector

    NO0037, 2013, Education

  36. “Simplify” (“Enkelt Og Greit”)

    NO0038, 2013, E-Government

  37. Electronic Public Records (OEP) – (Offentlig Elektronisk Postjournal)

    NO0039, 2013, E-Government

  38. Re-Use of Public Sector Information (PSI)

    NO0040, 2013, Capacity Building

  39. Access to Health Data

    NO0041, 2013, E-Government

  40. Renewal of the Government’S Website (Regjeringen.No – Government.No)

    NO0042, 2013, E-Government

  41. Declaration of Principles for Interaction and Dialogue with NGOs

    NO0043, 2013, Capacity Building

  42. Simplification and Digital Administration of Arrangements for NGOs

    NO0044, 2013, Capacity Building

  43. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government

    NO0001, 2011, Capacity Building

  44. Measures to Promote Gender Equality and Women’S Full Participation in Civic Life, the Private Sector, the Public Administration and Political Processes.

    NO0002, 2011, Gender

  45. Gender Equality – Participation in the Private Sector

    NO0003, 2011, Gender

  46. Increase Women's Representation in Local Government

    NO0004, 2011, Gender

  47. Gender Equality Program

    NO0005, 2011, Gender

  48. Gender Equality – Inclusion of Immigrant Women

    NO0006, 2011, Gender

  49. Gender Equality – Combat Gender Stereotypes

    NO0007, 2011, Gender

  50. Gender Equality – Youth Initiatives

    NO0008, 2011, Gender

  51. Gender Equality – Combat Domestic Violence

    NO0009, 2011, Gender

  52. Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency

    NO0010, 2011, Aid

  53. Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Government Global Pension Fund

    NO0011, 2011, Fiscal Transparency

  54. Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Combat Tax Evasion

    NO0012, 2011, Fiscal Transparency

  55. Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Multi-National Companies

    NO0013, 2011, Fiscal Transparency

  56. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – Create Central Communication Policy

    NO0014, 2011, Fiscal Transparency

  57. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government

    NO0015, 2011, E-Government

  58. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – Public Data Use

    NO0016, 2011, Public Participation

  59. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – National Statistic Publication

    NO0017, 2011, Open Data

  60. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – National Public Opinion Survey

    NO0018, 2011, Records Management

  61. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government

    NO0019, 2011, Public Participation