About INSPIRE

INSPIRE stands for InfraStructure for sPatial InfoRmation in Europe, or Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe. INSPIRE is an initiative of the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union as well as EFTA countries. The European Commission and Council Directive of the same name (2007/2/EC) entered into force on 14 March 2007 with the aim of establishing the European legislative framework needed to build [A European infrastructure for spatial information](https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/). It lays down general rules for the construction of this infrastructure, in particular in support of environmental policies and policies that have an impact on the environment. The main objective of INSPIRE is to ensure the harmonised sharing and use of spatial information in Europe. Basic INSPIRE principles: Data is collected only once and at the level where it is most efficiently done. The ability to seamlessly combine spatial data from different sources and share it between many users and applications. Spatial data produced at one level of government and used by other levels. Spatial data will be made available under conditions that do not restrict their widespread use. Making it easier to search for available spatial data, to assess the suitability of its use for a given purpose, and to make available information on the conditions under which the data can be used. INSPIRE should be based on infrastructures for spatial information which are established by Member States and aligned with common implementing rules and complemented by measures at Community level. These measures should ensure that the infrastructures for spatial information established by the Member States are compatible with each other and usable both within the Community and beyond Community borders. ## INSPIRE INSPIRE is an initiative of the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union as well as EFTA countries. The European Commission and Council Directive of the same name (2007/2/EC) entered into force on 14 March 2007 with the aim of establishing the European legislative framework needed to build [A European infrastructure for spatial information](https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/). It lays down general rules for the construction of this infrastructure, in particular in support of environmental policies and policies that have an impact on the environment. The main objective of INSPIRE is to ensure the harmonised sharing and use of spatial information in Europe. Basic INSPIRE principles: * Data is collected only once and at the level where it is most efficiently done. * The ability to seamlessly combine spatial data from different sources and share it between many users and applications. * Spatial data produced at one level of government and used by other levels. * Spatial data will be made available under conditions that do not restrict their widespread use. * Making it easier to search for available spatial data, to assess the suitability of its use for a given purpose, and to make available information on the conditions under which the data can be used. INSPIRE should be based on infrastructures for spatial information which are established by Member States and aligned with common implementing rules and complemented by measures at Community level. These measures should ensure that the infrastructures for spatial information established by the Member States are compatible with each other and usable both within the Community and beyond Community borders. Access to the individual infrastructures at central EU level is provided by [INSPIRE Geoportal](https://inspire-geoportal.ec.europa.eu/), operated by the European Commission.   ## NIPI The implementation and operation of INSPIRE in the Slovak Republic is carried out through the National Infrastructure for Spatial Information (NIPI). NIPI is regulated in Slovakia [legislation](https://inspire.stage.geocloud.sk/legislativa) a [coordinated by](https://inspire.stage.geocloud.sk/koordinacia) to ensure harmonised access to spatial data. * The main web access point for users of spatial information is [National Geoportal](https://geoportal.gov.sk/). * [Spatial information register](https://rpi.gov.sk/) is primarily intended for spatial information providers. * Website [Of the National Spatial Information Infrastructure](https://inspire.gov.sk/) provides information to support the creation and operation of the NIPI. [Legislative definition of NIPI](https://www.slov-lex.sk/pravne-predpisy/SK/ZZ/2010/3/20160501#paragraf-2.pismeno-a) includes 'metadata, spatial datasets, spatial data services, network services and network technologies, data sharing, access and use agreements for any activity for which the data are usable, coordination and monitoring mechanisms, processes and procedures established, operated or made available'.