The European Commission has outlined measures aimed at supporting adoption of cloud computing. The gains in productivity and economies of scale achieved through cloud computing could add 2.5 million jobs and EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020, the EC said. Elements of the strategy include setting technical standards for interoperability, data portability and reversibility by 2013, setting up EU-wide certification schemes for trustworthy cloud providers, development of model 'safe and fair' contract terms for cloud services, including service level agreements, and getting governments and public sector bodies to use their procurement power to buy more cloud services. The EC said the proposal ties into the planned update of EU data protection rules and the upcoming cyber security plan, all part of a creating single EU market for digital services.
