Regulations and policies on data preservation
The table below summarises (inter)national regulations, policy and guidelines affecting research data and its preservation. This is not an exhaustive list; however, we maintain it to the best of our knowledge. For updates you think are needed, please contact us at rdarc@lnds.lu.
General purpose regulations
| Name | Category | Origin | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNR Policy on Research Data Management | Policy | National Funder | Principle 4 of the FNR policy on research data management states: Researchers and research organisations must preserve data for at least ten years unless legal provisions dictate otherwise. Data should be deposited in a trusted repository to ensure it is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR principles). Each data set should have a persistent identifier, such as a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), to ensure reliable and efficient location and reference. |
| National Digital Data Preservation Strategy | Strategy | National | Expected 2025. |
| Open Data and Public Sector Information Directive (Directive [EU] 2019/1024) | Legal act | EU | Publicly funded research data is encouraged to be shared and reused openly. This directive impacts preservation by requiring that data be stored in interoperable formats and made accessible for secondary use. |
| Law of 4 December 2007 on the re-use of public sector information | Law | National | The transposition of the EU’s Open Data Directive of 2003, which established a minimum set of rules and practical means to facilitate re-use of existing public sector documentation in Luxembourg. |
| Database Directive (Directive 96/9/EC) | Legal act | EU | Research datasets stored in databases benefit from the legal protection provided by this directive. It influences the framework for the preservation of research data by ensuring that databases are protected against misuse or unauthorised access. |
| Copyright Directive (Directive [EU] 2019/790) | Legal act | EU | Research data containing intellectual property or creative elements are subject to copyright protection. This affects preservation practices requiring measures to manage copyright while ensuring long-term access. |
| Electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS) Regulation (Regulation [EU] 910/2014) | Regulation | EU | Research data that requires secure authentication or integrity verification benefits from the trust services established by this regulation, which are critical for preserving the authenticity and reliability of digital datasets over time. |
| General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation [EU] 2016/679) | Regulation | EU | Research data containing personal information must comply with the strict requirements of the GDPR/ Data can be preserved if it meets the criteria set by ethics and privacy teams, including a lawful basis, purpose limitation, exceptions, and processes to protect data subjects' rights in line with Recital 156 and Article 89. |
| Regulation Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) Directive (Directive 2007/2/EC) | Legal act | EU | Spatial research data fall under this directive, which establishes an infrastructure for geospatial information. Preservation strategies must guarantee long-term access and usability of these datasets. |
| Environmental Information Directive (Directive 2003/4/EC) | Legal act | EU | Research data related to environmental studies are covered by this directive, which mandates accessibility. Preservation efforts must ensure such data remain usable and accessible for public and scientific purposes. |
| Clinical Trials Regulation (Regulation [EU] 536/2024) | Regulation | EU | Mandates that clinical trial data are stored for at least 25 years, with specific requirements reliable archival systems. |
| European Commission Recommendation on Access to and Preservation of Scientific Information | Recommendation | EU | In 2012, the European Commission recommended the promotion of Open Access to and preservation of scientific information. This recommendation emphasised the need for member states to ensure long-term preservation and access to scientific information, including publications and data. It was revised in 2018 to include updated guidelines and requirements for improving access and ensuring preservation. A monitoring report published in 2020 shows improved open access to publications and identifies data management as “the next big challenge” that member states are working on. |
| European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA) | Code of Conduct | Europe | ALLEA, a federation of European academies, oversees the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, applicable to researchers and institutions across Europe. Section 2.5 emphasises proper stewardship, curation, and preservation of data, metadata, protocols, and research materials. Aligned with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), the Code encourages making data as open as possible while considering legal, ethical, and disciplinary requirements. It highlights the shared responsibility of researchers and institutions for the in long-term data preservation. |
| Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) | Guideline | International | DPC helps institutions develop digital preservation policies. The Digital Preservation Handbook offers strategic guidance on aligning policies with organisational goals and engaging stakeholders. The Digital Preservation Policy Toolkit provides a step-by-step framework with templates and examples for creating policies, covering purpose, roles, responsibilities, and update mechanisms. |
| Luxembourg Open Data Strategy | Strategy | National | Luxembourg’s National Open Data Strategy covers the country’s programme for the implementation of Open data principles, starting with the public sector. |
| Law of 29 November 2021 on open data and the re-use of public sector information | Law | National |
Relevant National Entities
Archives Nationales du Luxembourg
Archives nationales de Luxembourg (ANLux) plays a key role in the conservation and communication of public and private archives. ANLux supports public organisations, advises on archive management and engages the public through exhibitions and digitization efforts. ANLux enables citizens and researchers to have access to its collections enabling transparency and access to the country’s collective and individual memory.
Bibliothèque Nationale du Luxembourg
The Bibliothèque nationale du Luxembourg (BnL) plays a key role in preserving Luxembourg’s cultural and digital heritage. Through its collaborations with the Digital Preservation Coalition, International Internet Preservation Consortium, and Open Preservation Foundation, the BnL enhances its digital preservation expertise and infrastructure. As part of its legal deposit mandate, the BnL has established a policy to preserve the Internet, including government, cultural, and research project websites.
Luxembourg Agency for Research Integrity
The Luxembourg Agency for Research Integrity (LARI), as the national research integrity office of Luxembourg, fosters responsible research practices. Through its mandate to support research organisations and investigate allegations of research misconduct, LARI helps to ensure that research activities adhere to the principles of reliability, honesty, respect, and accountability as outlined in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. As the proper handling of research data and preservation is a key component of research integrity, LARI's guidance and oversight contribute to the broader ecosystem of research data stewardship in Luxembourg.