Glossary
OES
Operator of Essential Services — a legal status created by NIS 1 to designate organisations essential to the functioning of the nation, replaced by the EE and IE categories under NIS 2.
An OES (Operator of Essential Services) is a legal status created by the original NIS 1 directive (2016) to designate organisations essential to the functioning of the nation. Under NIS 2, this status disappears in favour of the Essential Entity (EE) and Important Entity (IE) categories, with most former OES automatically moving to the stricter regime.
Transition from NIS 1 to NIS 2
Under NIS 1, ANSSI individually designated OES by ministerial order. Under NIS 2:
- The individual designation process disappears.
- Entities self-identify based on objective criteria (sector, size, financial thresholds).
- Most former OES automatically become Essential Entities (EE), subject to the strictest supervision regime.
- Self-assessment questionnaires replace individual designation orders.
Practical consequence
If your organisation was classified as an OES under NIS 1, it now automatically falls under the Essential Entity category without any new formal designation being required.