eIDAS regulation: everything you need to know

Understand the European standards for electronic signatures and ensure your company complies with security and legal validity requirements.

  • 14-day free trial

  • No credit card required

  • No obligation

Their agreements are powered by Yousign

The eIDAS Regulation

The eIDAS regulation, an acronym for Electronic Identification, Authentication and trust Services, is a European law adopted in 2014 that aims to standardise and secure digital trust services, including electronic signature, authentication and trust certificates. This regulation enables businesses, institutions and citizens to conduct electronic transactions within a secure and legally recognised framework, regardless of their location in Europe.

With eIDAS, European businesses can sign and exchange documents with complete confidence, ensuring the authenticity, integrity and legal validity of their digital transactions.

eIDAS framework is built upon three types of electronic signatures:

  • Electronic signature

    Simple

    Safety level: Limited

    A basic signature method, often used for documents requiring a limited level of security.

    • Registration forms, acceptance of Terms and Conditions

    • Limited; may not be legally binding

    Find out more

  • Electronic signature

    Advanced

    Safety level: Medium to high

    A more secure signature, uniquely linked to the signatory and able to detect any changes to the signed document.

    • Commercial contracts, HR documents

    • Legally recognised with enhanced reliability

    Find out more

  • Qualified

    Qualified

    Safety level: High

    The highest level of security, offering a legal value equivalent to a handwritten signature and requiring the use of qualified certificates.

    • Notarial deeds, financial agreements, contracts

    • Legally equivalent to a handwritten signature

    Find out more

Why is eIDAS important?

The eIDAS regulation is of crucial importance to businesses, as it guarantees the legal validity of electronic transactions, harmonises signature practices across Europe and promotes a secure digital environment. The main benefits of eIDAS compliance for businesses include:

  1. Enhanced transaction security

    eIDAS defines rigorous standards for electronic signatures, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of documents.

  2. International legal recognition

    An eIDAS-compliant signature is legally valid in all EU countries, making cross-border transactions easier.

  3. Reduced risk of fraud

    By imposing levels of verification and qualified certificates, eIDAS considerably reduces the risk of falsification and identity theft.

  4. Process optimisation

    eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures enable businesses to dematerialise and accelerate their document processes.

  5. Strengthened customer confidence

    By offering greater security and transparency, eIDAS compliance helps to improve the relationship of trust with customers and partners.

Ensure the compliance of your electronic signatures with Yousign

Yousign can help you set up electronic signatures that comply with eIDAS regulations.

Discover our eIDAS-certified solutions

How eIDAS affects businesses

The eIDAS regulation is having a significant impact on businesses operating within the European Union, providing them with a secure framework for digital transactions and harmonising electronic signature standards. Here are the main effects of eIDAS on businesses:

  • Simplification of contractual processes

    By replacing paper signatures with compliant electronic signatures, companies gain speed and reduce processing times.

  • Improved data security

    eIDAS imposes strict security standards, protecting companies against fraud and guaranteeing the integrity of documents.

  • Compliance and reducing legal risks

    By complying with eIDAS, businesses can ensure that their transactions are legally valid, reducing the risk of disputes and improving the transparency of their processes.

  • Facilitating cross-border transactions

    Under eIDAS, businesses can conclude contracts and exchange documents without worrying about national barriers.

  • Reducing administrative costs

    The dematerialisation of processes and documents reduces paper management, archiving and transport costs.

Key Steps for eIDAS compliance

  1. Identify your signature requirements

    Determine whether your documents require a simple, advanced or qualified signature, depending on their legal importance.

  2. Choosing a trusted service provider

    Choose a certified eIDAS-compliant electronic signature provider, such as Yousign, which guarantees the security and legal validity of your transactions.

  3. Setting up authentication processes

    Ensure that the identity of signatories is properly verified to reinforce the reliability of transactions.

  4. Train your team

    Inform your staff about the benefits and best practices of eIDAS compliance to maximise the adoption and effectiveness of the solution.

  5. Monitoring regulatory developments

    Stay up to date with any updates and adjustments to the eIDAS standards to ensure ongoing compliance.

Yousign is eIDAS compliant

  • Certified third party

    A trusted service and certification authority approved by the European Commission.

  • 100% eIDAS-compliant signatures

    All Yousign electronic signature processes are certified and recognised throughout Europe.

  • All-in-one application

    The electronic signature is fully recognised and compliant with European regulations (eIDAS).

  • Made in the EU

    Solutions created and hosted exclusively within the European Union.

Start your
free 14-day trial

15 000+ growing SMBs trust Yousign to sign their documents

green arrow
cta illustration