On Friday 28.02.2014, the member states' permanent representatives endorsed the compromise reached between the Council and the European Parliament concerning a Regulation which lays down conditions for mutual recognition of electronic identification; sets rules for trust services, in particular for electronic transactions; and creates a legal framework for electronic signatures, seals and time stamps, electronic documents as well as electronic registered delivery services and certificate services for website authentication. 

 

The e-idas regulation to be voted is a top priority for the Greek Presidency in the field of telecommunications. It constitutes the basic regulation of the European Union for establishing a reliable digital world for online transactions. This regulation aims to technically establish and legally enhance all tools required by EU citizens, public services, and the private sector, in order to have a safe transition to digital infrastructure. 

 

The objective of the regulation is to expand and cover, at EU level, the mutual identification and acceptance of common systems of e-identification, ID e-authentication, e-signatures and similar trust services for transactions, thus contributing to the establishment of a digital single market and an EU roadmap for stability and development.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks, Michalis Chrisochoidis, stressed that: “Secure and uninterrupted electronic interaction between businesses, citizens, and public services must be enabled, thus increasing the effectiveness of public and private online services, e-business and e-commerce in the EU.”

 

To enter into force, the text still needs to be formally approved by the Parliament, whose vote in plenary is expected to take place in April, and the Council, which is due to take its decision after the vote in Parliament.