The new European Data Act is changing the way equipment manufacturers will operate
15/01/2026
As of September 2025, a new regulation from the European Commission is affecting how equipment manufacturers manage data. The European Data Act is reshaping how industrial data is accessed, shared and reused across the European Union (EU). Its purpose is clear: to ensure that users of electronic equipment, including inspectors, asset owners and service providers in non-destructive testing (NDT), can access and use the data generated by the equipment they operate. This shift supports interoperability, transparency and more open ecosystems across industrial sectors.
Notably, Evident has been moving in this direction long before the regulation took effect. Through early investment in the .nde open file format, Evident created a structure that aligns naturally with the principles now emphasised by European policymakers.
The .nde file format was developed to ensure that inspection data can be accessed and reused without proprietary barriers. Its foundation on open standards such as hierarchical data format version 5 (HDF5) and JavaScript object notation (JSON) aligns strongly with the European Data Act’s expectations for:
- Interoperability: data can be opened and processed by multiple software tools and platforms;
- Transparency: metadata is clearly structured and human-readable;
- Portability: users can move their data between systems without relying on a single vendor;
- Future-proofing: customers, software developers and toolmakers can build solutions around a stable and openly documented format.
Rather than adapting after the fact, Evident is already well positioned because of these early choices.
In NDT, data is becoming increasingly valuable across the lifecycle of assets. Modern workflows involve digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted defect analysis, robotics and large-scale data integration. All of these require free, reliable access to high-quality inspection data.
Open file formats make it possible to combine inspection results from different systems, use third-party AI and analytics tools, integrate with robotics and automation software and build long-term digital archives for regulated industries.
As the NDT ecosystem becomes more connected, the ability to share and interpret data effectively is essential.
Although the .nde file format aligns well with the European Data Act, Evident approaches this area with a collaborative, industry-oriented mindset. No single company can shape the future of NDT data alone; progress depends on shared standards, multi-vendor compatibility and active involvement from industry committees.
Evident continues to support these efforts by contributing to standards development, partnering with industry stakeholders and encouraging practical, accessible digital transformation.
The European Data Act represents an important shift in how industrial data is governed. For many organisations, it will require updates to systems and processes as they adapt to new regulatory expectations.
For Evident, it reinforces a direction already taken: a commitment to open, accessible and user-centric NDT data.
With the .nde open file format built on openness from the start, Evident is prepared to support customers through this transition and help the NDT industry move towards more connected, innovative and interoperable inspection workflows.
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