Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions in the Internal Market (EIDAS Regulation)

On 23 July 2014 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a Regulation "on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market" (the “eIDAS Regulation”). The Regulation deals with two distinct topics. In the first place it introduces a system of cross-border mutual recognition of electronic identification schemes used in Member States for the access to online public services. If this mechanism succeeds, it will be possible for a citizen from one Member State to use his/her eID for accessing an online public service in another Member State. In the second place the eIDAS Regulation creates a common legal framework for trust services. This part of the Regulation contains a series of common provisions related to electronic signatures, electronic seals, electronic time stamps, electronic registered mail and web authentication. It is uncertain whether or not the eIDAS Regulation will have a tangible effect on online transactions in Europe.