OpenEHDS is being developed as a neutral, non-commercial foundation initiative focused on turning EHDS from a legal framework into practical, reusable technical reality.

Mission

OpenEHDS is built on the belief that EHDS infrastructure must be:

• interoperable by design
• privacy-preserving by default
• operationally realistic
• publicly understandable

The initiative also creates a neutral space for dialogue between public institutions, regulators, patient organizations, researchers, and technology stakeholders through open discussion, workshops, and co-creation of reference architectures.

Scope

OpenEHDS focuses primarily on EHDS secondary use of electronic health data, where regulatory, technical, and organizational complexity is highest.

The scope includes the full secondary-use lifecycle:

• dataset preparation for approved secondary-use cases
• controlled access based on data permits
• operation in secure processing environments
• auditable and transparent lifecycle governance

Controlled data mediation layer

EHDS does not create unrestricted data federation. It establishes controlled, permit-based access that is limited by purpose, time, and auditable governance.

OpenEHDS explicitly addresses this reality as a controlled data mediation layer that:

• is not a central data lake
• is not a permanent data repository
• is not a commercial data platform

It is a temporary and controlled processing layer used to assemble permit-compliant datasets, enforce policies, and ensure full traceability.

What OpenEHDS builds

Open reference components and architecture patterns, including:

• permit-aware dataset assembly engines
• policy enforcement modules for purpose limitation, opt-out, and legal exceptions
• connectors across health data holders, health data access bodies, and secure processing environments
• audit, logging, and data lineage capabilities
• temporary-data lifecycle mechanisms, including TTL and controlled deletion
• interoperability mappings and transformations aligned with EHDS, FHIR, and future implementing acts

What OpenEHDS does not do

• does not act as a health data access body
• does not host or monetize medical data
• does not operate secure processing environments
• does not replace national or EU governance institutions

OpenEHDS is an enabler, not a system operator.

Governance and trust

OpenEHDS is structured around transparent governance, open contribution processes, public documentation, and a clear separation from commercial exploitation of outcomes.

Open source presence

• GitHub organization: Open-EHDS on GitHub