TEHDAS2 publishes a specification for managing health data access under the EHDS
A new TEHDAS2 expert specification gives Member States a practical framework for building systems to handle health data access applications and requests under the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The document sets out how to develop a Data Access Application Management System (DAAMS), a national platform designed to support secure and compliant access to electronic health data for secondary use. It is intended to help health data access bodies (HDABs) manage applications and requests for purposes such as research, innovation and policymaking.
It defines the technical and functional requirements for DAAMS and covers the full lifecycle of applications, from submission and evaluation to decision-making. Core features include application tracking, structured assessment and permit handling.
Connecting national systems to the EHDS
While developed for national use, DAAMS is designed to connect to the wider EHDS infrastructure. Through national contact points, systems exchange information with the HealthData@EU Central Platform, including application statuses, decisions and permits, supporting cross-border coordination.
“This specification translates EHDS requirements into a workable approach for Member States. It shows how applications for health data access can be handled in a consistent and transparent way across Europe, while still allowing countries to design systems that fit their national context,” says Radovan Tomášik of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and lead author of the deliverable.
For applicants, DAAMS provides a dedicated interface to submit applications, track progress and respond to requests for additional information. For HDABs, it supports a structured review process, with clear documentation and traceability throughout decision-making.
The document emphasises that DAAMS is one component within a broader national ecosystem. Member States may choose to implement related functions, such as data catalogues or secure processing environments, outside the system, provided that the overall setup remains coherent and auditable.
It also highlights safeguards to support accountability, including secure authentication, audit logging and transparent documentation of decisions and processes.
The deliverable is a non-binding expert specification developed under TEHDAS2. It supports wider efforts to implement the EHDS and a more coordinated European approach to the secondary use of health data.
Download the guideline: Data Access Application Management System (DAAMS) – technical specification for health data access bodies
A summary of the comments received during the public consultation and how they were addressed is available in the annex.
View published TEHDAS2 results
Key recommendations stemming from the work
For Member States
- Ensure interoperability with the HealthData@EU infrastructure by aligning DAAMS with standardised interfaces, workflows and data exchange formats.
- Implement transparent and traceable application management across the full lifecycle, including clear status tracking, notifications and audit logging.
- Design efficient and structured application workflows, engaging relevant actors (such as trusted data holders) where appropriate.
For the European Commission
- Ensure that the HealthData@EU Central Platform and common technical standards evolve in line with Member States’ implementation timelines and practical needs.
- Provide and maintain shared technical specifications, templates and interoperability standards to support consistent implementation across Member States.
- Support collaboration and knowledge exchange (e.g. communities of practice) to enable continuous improvement and alignment of DAAMS implementations.
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