Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 of the European Parliament and of the Council, adopted on April 11, 2024, represents a key shift in the area of digital identity within the European Union. This regulation, amending the original eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, establishes a European framework for digital identity and extends its scope to all EU citizens. Its goal is to improve the effectiveness of the existing eIDAS framework, promote digital identity for every European, and enable better use of electronic identification in both the public and private sectors.
Electronic Ledgers and Blockchain
One of the major innovations brought by eIDAS 2.0 is the introduction of "electronic ledgers." These are defined as sequences of electronic data records that ensure their integrity and the accuracy of their chronological order. According to this definition, blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies (DLT) are recognized as legitimate tools for creating electronic ledgers.
According to Article 3, point 52 of eIDAS 2.0, an electronic ledger is a sequence of electronic data that ensures the integrity of these records and their chronological arrangement. In this way, blockchain functions as an electronic ledger and is considered a trust service under eIDAS 2.0.
This concept is essential for ensuring transparency, security, and auditability of data in the digital world.
Blockchain = Electronic Ledger = Trust-Creating Service
Under eIDAS 2.0, blockchain not only enables electronic archiving but also meets all requirements for qualified trust services laid down by this legal framework.
Specifically, this includes:
Qualified Electronic Ledgers
According to Article 45l of eIDAS 2.0, qualified electronic ledgers must meet the following requirements:
This legal framework provides legal certainty for the use of blockchain as a reliable tool for storing and securing the integrity of data in the digital environment.
Conclusion
eIDAS 2.0 has opened new opportunities for using blockchain as a trust-creating service within the European Union. Qualified electronic ledgers, fully compliant with eIDAS standards, represent an effective tool for ensuring data integrity and trust in digital transactions. Thus, blockchain technology is becoming not only innovative but also a legally grounded instrument for ensuring security and transparency in the field of digital identity.
For more information on the implementation of eIDAS 2.0 and blockchain in practice, watch the presentation from the ELA Blockchain Annual Meeting held at MSV, where Mgr. Et Mgr. Ing. Jan Tomíšek, Ph.D. explained eIDAS 2.0 in detail:
https://youtu.be/uQcyNLgbfnY?si=WvLHqEXXMps9Enf4