Under the Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) Regulation, EU Member States may, on a voluntary basis, notify and recognise, national electronic identification schemes in their Member States. The recognition of notified electronic identification became mandatory in 2018. Yet, there is no requirement for Member States to develop a national electronic identification and to make it interoperable with those in other Member States. This has led to discrepancies between countries. The new European Digital Identity Regulation addresses shortcomings in eIDAS by improving the effectiveness of the framework and extending its benefits to the private sector. Member States will offer citizens and businesses digital wallets that will be able to link various aspects of their national digital identities. These may be provided by public authorities or the private sector, if they are recognized by the Member States.
The EU Digital Identity Wallet will be:
- made available to anyone who wants to use it: Any EU citizen, resident, and business in the EU who would like to make use of the EU Digital Identity will be able to do so.
- used widely: EU Digital Identity Wallets will be used as a way to identify users when providing them with access to public and private digital services across the EU.
- controlled by users: The EU Digital Identity Wallets will enable people to choose and keep track of their identity, data and certificates which they share with third parties. Anything which is not necessary to share will not be shared.
Consumers should also be able to access services online without having to use private platforms or unnecessarily sharing personal data. They will have full control of the data they share.
On 3 June 2021, the European Commission adopted a Recommendation ([COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2021/946 of 3 June 2021 on a Common Union Toolbox for a coordinated approach towards a European Digital Identity Framework, OJ L 210/51, 14.6.2021) calling on Member States to work closely together with the Commission towards the development of a Toolbox including a technical Architecture and Reference Framework (hereinafter the ARF), a set of common standards and technical specifications and a set of common guidelines and best practices.
The Recommendation specifies that these outcomes will serve as a basis for the implementation of the European Digital Identity Regulation, without the process of developing the Toolbox interfering with, or prejudging the legislative process.
The Recommendation establishes a structured framework for cooperation between Member States, the Commission, and, where relevant, private sector operators to develop the Toolbox. The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group (EDICG), formerly known as the eIDAS Expert Group, is responsible for:
- exchange best practices and cooperate with the Commission on emerging policy initiatives in the field of digital identity wallets, electronic identification means and trust services;
- advising the Commission in the preparation of draft implementing and delegated acts;
- supporting Supervisory Bodies in the implementation of the [European Digital Identity Regulation];
- organising peer reviews of electronic identification schemes;
- engaging with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders to develop a Common Union Toolbox;
The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group's page can be found at the official page.
The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group has since further developed the concepts and specifications for the European Digital Identity Framework. The current ARF version is based on the legal text adopted by the co-legislators, including the adopted Commission Implementing Regulations:
- CIR 2024/2977 regarding PID and EAA,
- CIR 2024/2979 regarding integrity and core functionalities,
- CIR 2024/2980 regarding ecosystem notifications,
- CIR 2024/2981 regarding certification of Wallet Solutions,
- CIR 2024/2982 regarding protocols and interfaces.
This repository contains:
- "Architecture and Reference Framework" the main narrative text that describes the European Digital Identity Wallet and its ecosystem.
- "Annexes" the list of annexes that provide additional information to the main narrative text. In particular, the annexes provide normative high-level requirements.
- "Technical Specifications" the list of specifications that will be developed to support the implementation of the European Digital Identity Wallet.
- "Discussion Topics" the list of discussion topics that are open for public consultation. The topics are organized into three iterations, each focusing on a specific set of subjects to be included in a major document release.
The latest authoritative version is tagged as release/tag in this repository.
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