The European Data Act and the Future of Inspection Data: Why Open Formats Matter

The European Data Act (EDA) is ushering in a new era for industrial data. By reinforcing the principle that users should have clear access to the data generated by the equipment they own, the regulation encourages transparency, interoperability, and long-term accessibility—values that resonate deeply within the NDT community.

Although the regulation is European in scope, its influence extends well beyond the EU. Inspection data moves across borders, across industries, and across decades. The EDA formalizes what many asset owners, regulators, and technology developers have long requested: data that is open, usable, and prepared for future requirements.

What the European Data Act Means for NDT

The EDA sets expectations that align closely with the realities of modern inspection workflows:

• Users must be able to access their data easily, without relying on proprietary software.
• Data should be portable and structured, allowing for use in third-party tools, digital twins, and long-term archives.
• Manufacturers are expected to support interoperability rather than maintain closed ecosystems that limit collaboration or comparison.

For industries built on safety, traceability, and repeatability—like NDT—these principles are especially important.

Evident’s Approach: Designing With Openness in Mind

Long before the European Data Act entered into force, Evident began moving toward more open and transparent data practices. This approach led to the development of the .NDE open file format, which is built on widely adopted technologies such as HDF5 and JSON.

The intention was not to meet a specific regulation but to help create a future where:

• customers can access their inspection data without barriers,
• integrators and software developers can build solutions using standardized structures,
• and inspection results remain usable as technology and workflows evolve.

Because the .NDE file format relies on established, nonproprietary technologies and openly published documentation, it supports data that remains readable, transferable, and adaptable over time.

Supporting the Industry’s Direction

The European Data Act reinforces trends that were already accelerating in NDT:

• robotics and automated systems need accessible data streams;
• AI and machine learning require consistent, well-structured formats;
• regulators and asset owners prioritize traceability and transparency;
• and multi-vendor workflows are becoming standard across energy, aerospace, and infrastructure.

Open file formats play a central role in enabling these developments. Evident’s early commitment to openness aligns with the industrywide shift toward greater interoperability and collaboration.

Building a Foundation for Collaboration

Perhaps the greatest value of the European Data Act is that it establishes a requirement for the entire ecosystem—manufacturers, asset owners, standards committees, and researchers to adopt shared expectations for openness.

The .NDE file format is one contribution to that ecosystem.  It is not intended to replace or compete with other formats, but to serve as a tool that:

• reduces dependency on proprietary workflows,
• supports long-term accessibility,
• and provides a clear, consistent structure for advanced NDT modalities.

The objective is collective progress. As standards bodies, regulatory groups, and industry organizations explore how to implement the principles of the EDA, open and well-documented file formats can help streamline that transition.

Looking Ahead

The European Data Act marks an important step toward more open and user-centered industrial data practices. For NDT, this shift supports safety, innovation, and long-term asset integrity.

Evident’s work on the .NDE open file format demonstrates early recognition of these needs. By prioritizing openness, transparency, and interoperability, Evident is positioned to support customers, partners, and the broader industry as expectations evolve—not simply because of regulation but because open data supports the future of NDT.

Learn more about the .NDE open file format

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