eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is a regulation of the European Union designed to establish a common framework for electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market.
The regulation aims to increase security and trust in online transactions between citizens, businesses and public authorities. This includes electronic user authentication, electronic signatures, electronic seals, electronic documents, certified electronic delivery services and certification services for website authentication.
The main objective of eIDAS is to facilitate digital interaction and ensure that digital transactions are as secure, reliable and easy as physical transactions.
By harmonising the rules across the EU, eIDAS allows individuals and businesses to use their own national e-ID systems to access services in other EU countries.
It also establishes a security standard for electronic signatures, ensuring that they are legally recognised and carry the same weight as handwritten signatures throughout the European Union.