e-GIF

The e-GIF first came into force when Version 1 was announced in the House of Commons in 2000. The e-GIF defines the technical policies and specifications governing information flows across government and the public sector.

It is described as being the technical cornerstone of the e-government policy for joining up the public sector electronically and providing modern, improved public services.

Key e-GIF Policies

• Alignment with the Internet: the universal adoption of common specifications used on the Internet and World Wide Web for all public sector information systems.
  
• Adoption of XML as the primary standard for data integration and presentation tools for all public sector systems.
  
• Adoption of the browser as the key interface; all public sector information systems are to be accessible through browser based technology; other interfaces are permitted but only in addition to browser based ones.
  
• The development and adoption of the e-GMS based on the international Dublin Core model.
  
• The development and maintenance of the GCL - soon to be superceeded by the IPSV.
  
• Adherence to the e-GIF is mandated throughout the public sector.