What are eIDAS regulations and why do they matter?

Whether you’ve been using digital signatures for a while, or you’re new to signing documents electronically, you might have heard of eIDAS regulations – but what are they, and what do they mean to you?

This blog will give you a whistle-stop tour of this important area of digital security.

What is eIDAS?

eIDAS is shorthand for ‘electronic identification, authentication, and trust services’ and is the legal framework covering various areas of digital security, including electronic signatures.

The legislation establishes standards for electronic signatures, electronic seals, time stamps, and other trust services that are essential for secure digital transactions.

There are two forms of the legislation – the original EU legislation, and ‘UK eIDAS’ – created when the UK adopted the EU eIDAS Regulation into its own law.

What’s the difference between ‘eIDAS’ and ‘UK eIDAS’ regulations?

There is a high degree of similarity between the EU eIDAS regulations and the UK version of the law.

However, a key difference lies in mutual recognition of ‘qualified’ trust service providers.

The UK continues to recognise EU qualified trust service providers, the EU does not reciprocally recognise UK providers. 

This means that security features such as electronic signatures and electronic seals created by a UK-based provider do not automatically carry the same legal weight within the EU as those from an EU-based provider.

The good news – Videosign eIDAS-qualified documents are valid in the EU and UK 

Videosign’s signed documents are valid in the EU and UK, thanks to eIDAS Qualified seals placed on all our completed documents.

Our electronic seals – provided by reputable security specialists Swisscom – use advanced encryption technology to guarantee the integrity of documents.

Why does this matter for businesses and individuals? 

For businesses, adhering to eIDAS regulations provides security and also helps to foster trust and efficiency. 

Using Videosign’s eIDAS-compliant service for remote contracting streamlines workflows, reduces administrative costs, and enhances security in digital transactions.

For individual consumers, eIDAS offers peace of mind. When interacting with a business that uses eIDAS-compliant services, you can be more confident that your data is secure and that the transaction is legally sound. 

For both businesses and consumers, these regulations are a cornerstone of secure and reliable services, enabling smoother, safer, and more efficient online interactions.