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The Berlin Declaration on open access was signed in 2010 by the Science and Technology Policy Council of Iceland, in 2012 by the National and University Library of Iceland and in 2016 by the University of Iceland.

The Government of Iceland signed a joint declaration of intent with the OECD nations regarding OA in 2004. In 2012, an amendment to an earlier Act (nr. 2/2003) was passed in Iceland (no. 149/2912( regarding support for the publication of scientific material in OA. „The results of research funded by grants from funds covered by this Act shall be published in open access and be available to all unless otherwise agreed. In all their writings on the results of research, grant recipients must mention the role of the funds in the project in question."

The state's responsibility for science, innovation and research lies with four ministries. Scientific matters fall under the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, in particular in the field of basic research, public support for scientific activities and international co-operation on science. The Science and Technology Policy Council falls under the Prime Minister's Office. The Ministry of Industry and Innovation covers, among other things, technical research and innovation as well as state support for research, development work and innovation in industries, as well as research on the marine and river ecosystem. The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for environmental and energy research, and research in the field of health is in the hands of the Ministry of Health.

The Science and Technology Policy Council formulates public policy in science and technology in Iceland. Its role is to strengthen scientific research, scientific education and technological development in the country to strengthen the foundations of Icelandic culture and increase the competitiveness of the economy. 

The Prime Minister is the chairman of the council, which also includes the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Minister of Industry and Innovation. The chairman appoints two members to the council, in addition to which 14 representatives are nominated to the council by ministries, universities and labour market partners. The chairman of the council may also appoint up to four ministers to sit on the council.

The Council sets the government's policy on science and technology for three years at a time. The Council's discussion in each field is prepared by the Council's working committees, the Scientific Committee and the Technical Committee. The council meets four times a year. It operates according to Act no. 2/2003 which states the following: "The results of research funded by grants from funds covered by this Act shall be published in open access and be available to all unless otherwise agreed. Beneficiaries shall, in all their writings on the results of research, mention the role of the funds in the project in question. "

All information regarding open access in Iceland can be found on www.openaccess.is, which is maintained by the National and University Library of Iceland.