Regulation „eIDAS“ – have you already heard about it?

New regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market becomes effective as of July 1st (also called Regulation eIDAS). The goal of the regulation is building of digital single market and creating appropriate conditions for the mutual recognition of key enablers across borders, such as electronic identification, electronic documents, electronic signatures and electronic delivery services, and for interoperable e-government services across the European Union.

The eIDAS Regulation repeals the previous Directive 1999/93/EC on a Community framework for electronic signatures. It also influences the Act on electronic signature no. 227/2000 Coll., which will be replaced by a bill called Act on services creating confidence in electronic transactions which is now in the Parliament.

Electronic signatures, electronic seals and time stamps or means of delivery act in accordance with Regulation eIDAS. One of the most important news is that electronic documents will have the same legal force as paper documents. Rules for the acknowledgement procedure will be united. Courts and other administrative authorities cannot anymore refuse such documents because they are electronic. It will also be established electronic seals for legal entities instead of existing electronic signs.