From 1 July 2016, trust services can be offered in all 28 EU Member States and the EEA in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC, also known simply as the eIDAS Regulation. Apart from new provisions for electronic signatures, the Regulation also covers services for electronic seals and timestamps, electronic registered delivery services and website certificates

The eIDAS Regulation provides a set of specifications that are binding throughout the EU in the fields of electronic identification and electronic trust services. The Regulation has therefore created a level playing field for the cross-border use of electronic identification means and trust services.

As an EU Regulation, it constitutes directly applicable law in all 28 EU member states and the European Economic Area.

The BSI contributed to the development of the eIDAS Regulation and is applying its domain expertise to the further structuring and technical implementation of the legislation in all relevant areas. To this end, the BSI is representing Germany in the corresponding expert committees of the European Union, co-authoring baseline European standards and supporting implementation projects such as e-SENS.