TEHDAS2

Link to websites: https://tehdas.eu/

Project description

The TEHDAS2 Joint Action was launched in 2024 and builds on the work of the previous joint action TEHDAS1 as well as other European projects in the field of the secondary use of health data. Within the project, more than 60 organisations from 29 European countries have joined forces to design, develop and support the preparation for the implementation of the new EU Regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The objectives of the EHDS include, among others, enabling broader and more effective use of health data for secondary purposes, such as research, innovation and policy-making. The project is coordinated by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and will run until December 2026.

Improving processes that enable secure access to health data will help ensure valuable insights into public health, facilitate the development of new treatments and medicinal products, and improve healthcare systems efficiency.

The project addresses multiple aspects of the secondary use of health data, including ensuring the availability and discoverability of health data, establishing harmonised procedures for data permits, developing specifications for secure data processing environments, and providing guidance on fulfilling obligations towards citizens.

TEHDAS2 continues and further develops the work carried out under the previous joint action “Towards the European Health Data Space (TEHDAS1)”, which concluded in July 2023, as well as the “EHDS2 pilot” project. In addition, TEHDAS2 works in close cooperation with other ongoing projects and initiatives in the area of secondary use, including “QUANTUM – The health data quality label”, “Capacity Building”, and the “Community of Practice”.

The work of the project is organised into eight work packages:

1. Management and coordination
2. Communication
3. Evaluation
4. Collaboration models
5. Data discovery
6. Data to access
7. Safe and secure processing
8. Serving citizens

The NIJZ actively participates in two work packages, namely Data Discovery and Safe and secure processing.

Background

The TEHDAS2 project was established in response to the fragmentation and lack of harmonisation in the use of health data across the EU, and as a preparatory action for the implementation of the new European legislation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Its purpose is to create a common foundation that will enable health data to be used safely, efficiently and cross‑border for research, innovation and policy-making.

Purpose of the project

TEHDAS2 will create guidelines and technical details to help use health data across borders. It will support data holders, users, and Health Data Access Bodies (HDABs) in their roles under the EHDS regulation.

Project objectives

Its goal is to develop common guidelines and technical specifications to facilitate smooth access to health data and strengthen European collaboration in using data efficiently.

TEHDAS2 focuses on:

• Finding data: Making sure health data can be found and used for other purposes.
• Accessing data: Creating standard ways to access data across countries.
• Secure processing: Setting up safe environments for handling sensitive health data.
• Citizen rights: Ensuring citizens know how their data is used and are informed about important research findings.
• Collaboration: Providing guidelines on working together, fees, penalties, and international data access.

Phases of the project (Work Packages)

Added value

Member states can use TEHDAS2 results to support their implementation efforts at the national level, while at the same time, the work will support the European Commission, in the drafting of the implementing acts defined in the EHDS regulation.

Expected results and materials

TEHDAS2 is developing guidelines and technical specifications to enable seamless use of health data across Europe under the European Health Data Space. The guidelines and technical specifications will support data holders, users, and Health Data Access Bodies in their roles under the EHDS regulation.

All results, public consultations and events will be published on the tehdas.eu website.

Duration of the project: 1. 5. 2024 to 31. 12. 2026

Leading organization: Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

Project partners: The Joint Action TEHDAS2 is being carried out by 29 European countries: Finland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Funding: Co-funded by European Union’s EU4Health Programme

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the body that co-finances the campaign can be held responsible for them.