Health data has the power to transform research, accelerate innovation, and improve patient care across Europe and beyond. But to realise this potential, data must be shared and used responsibly, transparently, and with trust at its core.

As Project Coordinators of DataTools4Heart, we are pleased to announce an important milestone: the first draft of the DataTools4Heart Code of Conduct is now available — and we invite you to help shape its final version.

Why this Code of Conduct matters

Researchers, clinicians, and innovators working with health data navigate a complex landscape of ethical responsibilities, legal requirements, and technical challenges. While regulations such as the GDPR provide essential protections, translating these principles into daily research practice is not always straightforward.
The DataTools4Heart Code of Conduct has been developed to bridge this gap. It provides practical, research-focused guidance to support responsible health data sharing and reuse, while strengthening trust among patients, professionals, and institutions.

Built by the community — and now open to the community

This first draft reflects extensive work by our multidisciplinary consortium, bringing together expertise in clinical research, data science, ethics, and law. However, we know that meaningful and lasting guidance can only emerge through broad consultation.

Your input will help ensure that the Code of Conduct is:

• Practical and usable in real-world research settings
• Clear and accessible to different types of stakeholders
• Aligned with the needs and challenges faced by the community
• Robust enough to support trustworthy and responsible data sharing across Europe

We warmly invite you to review the draft Code of Conduct and share your thoughts:

👉 Read the Code of Conduct and learn how to provide feedback: https://www.datatools4heart.eu/code-of-conduct/

Feedback is open until 30 June 2026.