eIDAS 2.0: What can companies expect from it?
eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is a European Union (EU) regulation implemented in 2014 to ensure secure and reliable electronic identification and trust services across the EU. The eIDAS regulation facilitates electronic interactions between businesses, citizens, and public authorities within the EU by establishing common standards for electronic identification, authentication, and trust services. eIDAS 2.0 is the updated version of that rule which came into effect in 2024 and aims to solve its shortcomings.
Overall, eIDAS 2.0 is an essential update to the original version. It expands the rule's scope to include more types of electronic trust services and introduces the concept of qualified trust service providers. Furthermore, by establishing common standards and requirements for electronic identification and trust services, eIDAS 2.0 aims to create a more seamless and secure digital environment within the EU.
One of the main challenges faced by eIDAS 2.0 is the need to ensure that the regulation is implemented consistently across all EU member states. The original eIDAS implementation has varied across different member states, which has led to inconsistencies and difficulties in using electronic identification and trust services.
eIDAS 2.0 addresses this issue by introducing more detailed requirements and guidelines for implementing the regulation. These include the technical and operational requirements for trust service providers and guidelines for the supervision and enforcement of the standards. By establishing more detailed and consistent policies, eIDAS 2.0 aims to ensure that the regulation is implemented consistently across all EU member states.
eIDAS 2.0 proposal: amending the first version's shortcomings
One of the fundamental changes introduced by eIDAS 2.0 is the expansion of the scope of the regulation to include more types of electronic trust services. The original eIDAS regulation only applied to eIDs, electronic signatures, electronic seals, and electronic time stamps. The eIDAS 2 proposal expands the scope to include additional trust services such as electronic registered delivery services, electronic certificates for authentication, and electronic seals for electronic documents.
Another significant change introduced by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation is the introduction of the concept of "qualified trust service providers" (QTSPs). These are trust service providers who meet the highest standards of security and reliability set by the EU. As a result, QTSPs are subject to more stringent requirements and must undergo regular audits to ensure that they continue to meet the required standards.
One of the main goals of eIDAS 2.0 is to create a more seamless and secure digital environment within the EU. By establishing common standards and requirements for electronic identification and trust services, eIDAS 2.0 aims to facilitate more accessible and secure electronic interactions between businesses, citizens, and public authorities. This will help to reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft and make it easier for individuals and companies to access online services and conduct transactions securely.
eIDAS 2.0 also aims to promote the use of electronic identification and trust services within the EU. By establishing common standards and requirements, the regulation makes it easier for businesses and individuals to use electronic identification and trust services across the EU. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may need more resources or expertise to develop their electronic identification and trust services.
eIDAS 2.0 and the EUDI Wallet: the universal right to a digital identity
In addition to the changes and updates described above, eIDAS 2 also introduced the concept of the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). And you may ask, what is the EU Digital Identity Wallet? The EU Identity Wallet is a digital platform that allows individuals and businesses to store and manage their electronic identification and trust services securely and conveniently.
The Digital Wallet is designed to make it easier for individuals and businesses to access online services, conduct transactions securely and operate and travel cross-border. It allows users to store and manage their electronic identification and trust services, such as electronic signatures and certificates, in a single, convenient location, making it easier for users to access and use their data and certificates whenever necessary. For companies, the benefits of the EUDI Wallet for businesses include faster customer onboarding, smoother cross-border transactions, and lower compliance overhead.
One of its main benefits is its interoperability with other digital platforms and services within the EU. This means that users can easily use it on different platforms and services without the need to register or set up separate accounts (for instance travelling, applications, medical assistance).
Overall, the EUDI Wallet is an essential part of eIDAS 2, as it helps to promote the use of electronic identification and trust services within the EU, giving them access and manageability of all their data, medical records, certificates, and more.
How to get ahead of the curve on eIDAS 2 regulation
As the leading digital identity solutions provider in Europe, Signicat is integrating wallet-based solutions to its current portfolio of solutions such as eIDs, video identification and electronic signing . This not only makes current solutions future proof but also enables a gradual and seamless transition to wallet-based solutions.