Since the 21^st of May, 2024, the digital identity regulation is in force. In this article you can read what the Digital Identity Regulation entails, its key features and benefits, and how the BPI Biometric & Identity solutions as well as the BPI Onboarding & Verification Suite can be of help in implementing the regulation in your business safely and securely. 

The European Union is set to transform digital identification with the introduction of the EU Digital Identity Wallet. This initiative, driven by EU regulation, aims to provide a secure, user-friendly, and personal digital wallet for all EU citizens, residents, and businesses. The wallet will be available as a mobile app, ensuring accessibility and standardization across Member States.

Key Features and Benefits

The EU Digital Identity Wallet will enable users to securely store and share personal information, such as names, birth dates, and nationality, as well as documents like medical prescriptions and digital driving licenses. This ensures seamless interaction with both public and private services across the EU. Users will have full control over their data, deciding what information to share and with whom, enhancing privacy and security.

By standardizing the digital identity framework, the wallet will facilitate cross-border services, making processes like opening a bank account, applying for university, or renting a car more efficient.

Deployment and Regulation

Each EU Member State will develop its own version of the digital wallet, adhering to common standards and technical specifications outlined by the European Commission. The initiative is supported by the eIDAS regulation, which already provides a trust framework for electronic identification and trust services across the EU.

The wallet is being piloted in several large-scale projects involving over 250 private companies and public authorities across 25 Member States, along with Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine. These pilots aim to test the wallet in real-life scenarios, ensuring its functionality and reliability before the full roll-out.

Enhancing Trust and Security

The EU Digital Identity Wallet integrates various trust services, including eSignatures, eSeals, and electronic timestamps. These services streamline processes, reduce costs, and build trust in digital transactions. For example, eSignatures will enable users to sign legal documents electronically, while eSeals will verify the origin and integrity of documents.

Additionally, the wallet will support qualified web authentication certificates, ensuring that websites are trustworthy and reliable. This will protect users from phishing and other cyber threats, further enhancing the security of online interactions.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of the EU Digital Identity Wallet are extensive. It can be used for a wide range of activities, such as:

• Requesting birth or medical certificates
• Proving Right to Work, reside or study in another Member State
• Onboarding new employees
• Verifying the identity of contractors and/or a courier’s driver license

By simplifying these processes, the wallet will save time and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, making life easier for EU citizens and businesses.

Secure implementation of the EU Digital Identity Wallet

Certified according to the ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and NEN 7510 norm, BPI Services has security and safety in its DNA. Whether your company handles contractor and employee data or visitors and patients, through the Onboarding & Verification Suite you ensure accurate and efficient onboarding.

On the other hand, our iMatch solutions provide robust mobile biometric verification capabilities, ensuring that digital travel credentials and mobile drivers licenses can be processed according to the recommended validation protocols. These solutions contribute to the security, reliability, and user-friendliness of the digital identity wallet, aligning perfectly with the EU’s vision for a secure digital future.

Conclusion

The EU Digital Identity Wallet represents a significant step forward in digital identification, offering a secure, standardized, and user-friendly solution for all EU citizens, residents, and businesses. With its full roll-out expected in the coming years, the wallet is set to revolutionize how personal data is managed and shared, enhancing privacy, security, and efficiency across the EU.

For more information, visit the European Digital Identity website and for the Dutch the Digitale Overheid website.

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