TEHDAS2 – Second joint action Towards the European Health Data Space

The TEHDAS2 project develops concrete guidelines and technical specifications to make it easier to use health data in different countries. It supports the harmonised implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation.

The project produces expert guidance on several topics, such as harmonised means of describing health data, data linkage and access procedures, as well as guidelines for co-operation and how to address citizen’s rights within the EHDS. In addition, the joint action develops technical specifications on Data Access Application Management system (DAAMS), common IT infrastructure and secure processing environments (SPEs), to highlight a few examples.

The TEHDAS2 joint action is funded by the European Union’s EU4Health Programme. Sitra participates in the project as the designated partner of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and acts as coordinator of the joint action at the request of the participating countries and the European Commission.

As the coordinator, we lead the overall work and are responsible for the successful and efficient implementation of the project. We are also responsible for the European-wide communication of the project, including the website tehdas.eu, and contribute to the preparation of the project reports in collaboration with the project partners.

The TEHDAS2 project is implemented as part of Sitra’s international activities. The project is a follow-up to the 25-country TEHDAS project led by Sitra in 2021–2023, whose recommendations were used by the European Commission in its proposal for the regulation on the EHDS, adopted in May 2022.

The TEHDAS2 joint action started on 1 May 2024 and will end on 31 December 2026. More information on the progress of the project can be found on its website.

The European Union aims to promote the secure use of health data across borders. Data is needed to prevent and treat diseases more effectively in the future.

The EHDS aims to enhance the secondary use of health data secondary use of health data to strengthen research, innovation and policymaking across Europe.

European researchers, businesses and policy-makers face many barriers to the cross-border use of health data. The new regulation should clarify and harmonise member states’ practices in secondary use.

Clear legislation and data protection requirements will ensure the secure use of health data. New technologies and common standards will help to change healthcare in Europe for the better, to the benefit of all.

The EHDS is being prepared by 29 countries. In Finland, Sitra, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Centre for Technology Research (VTT), the Centre for Science and Technology (CSC), the Social and Health Information Licensing Authority (Findata) and HUS are involved as associated organisations.

The national expert group (in Finnish) already assembled by Sitra during the TEHDAS project is also being consulted in the TEHDAS2 project. Email tehdascoordination@sitra.fi to receive an invitation to the next meeting.