Brussels, 03/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - E-identification and e-signatures should very shortly be accepted throughout the European Union, thanks to a mutual recognition mechanism.
On Thursday 3 April, the European Parliament adopted (543 votes to 73, with 7 abstentions) a resolution on the basis of the report by Marita Ulvskog (S&D, Sweden) and an institutional trialogue agreement reached in February on the matter (see EUROPE 11030). Most of the opposition to the new rules were Greens MEPs.
A first regulation facilitates electronic identification, signature of documents and verification of authenticity of documents. Member states will require to have joined the European mutual recognition of national electronic identification systems by July 2018. With effect from that date, the member states should be in a position to accept any e-identification produced in any other member state whether by public authorities, companies or individuals. Regional and local authorities will also have to accept foreign electronic identification.
The rapporteur foresees a boom in the number of online companies, as the system will ensure firms and their clients that documents received electronically will be legally acceptable.
The Greens opposed the report, citing its lack of consistency with the rules established in the data protection directive, Amelia Andersdotter (Greens/EFA, Sweden), who led the discussions on behalf of her group, told EUROPE. She regretted that the system, on which e-identification resulting from the previous directive will be based, had not been improved. She believes it to be extremely bureaucratic. (MD)