The eIDAS Regulation (electronic IDentification, Authentication and Trust Services), officially EU Regulation No. 910/2014, is a piece of European legislation that came into effect in 2016. It establishes a unified legal framework for electronic identification and trust services (such as electronic signatures, timestamps, electronic seals, and more) across all European Union Member States.
Its main goal is to strengthen trust in electronic transactions within the European Digital Single Market by ensuring their security, legal validity, and cross-border recognition.
Key Principles of the eIDAS Regulation
Harmonization and Mutual Recognition
The regulation harmonizes the rules governing electronic identification and trust services throughout the EU.
It requires Member States to mutually recognize electronic identification systems that have been officially notified, allowing citizens and businesses to use their national digital identities to access online services in any EU country.
Legal Value and Cross-Border Effect
Electronic signatures and other trust services that comply with eIDAS have the same legal value as their paper-based counterparts (e.g., handwritten signatures) in all Member States.
Furthermore, electronic documents cannot be dismissed in court solely on the grounds of being in electronic form.
Security and Assurance Levels
eIDAS defines three assurance levels for electronic identification low, substantial, and high depending on the required degree of security for each use case.
Trust services must meet strict security, control, and certification standards to ensure integrity and reliability.
Types of Trust Services
The regulation recognizes three types of electronic signatures:
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Simple electronic signature – offers a basic level of security.
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Advanced electronic signature – uniquely linked to the signer and capable of detecting any changes made after signing.
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Qualified electronic signature – provides the highest level of assurance and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.
Interoperability and Smooth Transactions
eIDAS aims to eliminate legal and technical barriers to cross-border digital transactions, promoting greater interoperability and supporting the digital transformation of European businesses and public administrations.
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