Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

CHAPTER III U.K. TRUST SERVICES

SECTION 1 U.K. General provisions

Article 13 U.K. Liability and burden of proof

1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, trust service providers [F1 established in the United Kingdom or in the EU] shall be liable for damage caused intentionally or negligently to any natural or legal person due to a failure to comply with the obligations under this Regulation.

The burden of proving intention or negligence of a non-qualified trust service provider shall lie with the natural or legal person claiming the damage referred to in the first subparagraph.

The intention or negligence of a qualified trust service provider shall be presumed unless that qualified trust service provider proves that the damage referred to in the first subparagraph occurred without the intention or negligence of that qualified trust service provider.

2. Where trust service providers duly inform their customers in advance of the limitations on the use of the services they provide and where those limitations are recognisable to third parties, trust service providers shall not be liable for damages arising from the use of services exceeding the indicated limitations.

3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be applied in accordance with [F2 general principles of liability in tort or delict].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Art. 13(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 8(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Words in Art. 13(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 8(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Article 14 U.K. International aspects

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Textual Amendments

F3 Art. 14 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 9; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4 Article 15 U.K. Accessibility for persons with disabilities

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Textual Amendments

F4 Art. 15 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 10; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F5 Article 16 U.K. Penalties

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Textual Amendments

F5 Art. 16 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 11; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 2 U.K. Supervision

Article 17 U.K. Supervisory body

F6 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. The role of the supervisory body [F8 (as assigned to the Information Commissioner by regulation 3 of the Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/696))] shall be the following:

(a) to supervise qualified trust service providers established in the [F9 United Kingdom] to ensure, through ex ante and ex post supervisory activities, that those qualified trust service providers and the qualified trust services that they provide meet the requirements laid down in this Regulation;

(b) to take action if necessary, in relation to non-qualified trust service providers established in the [F10 United Kingdom], through ex post supervisory activities, when informed that those non-qualified trust service providers or the trust services they provide allegedly do not meet the requirements laid down in this Regulation.

4. For the purposes of paragraph 3 and subject to the limitations provided therein, the tasks of the supervisory body shall include in particular:

F11 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) to analyse the conformity assessment reports referred to in Articles 20(1) and 21(1);

(c) to inform F12 ... the public about breaches of security or loss of integrity in accordance with Article 19(2);

F13 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) to carry out audits or request a conformity assessment body to perform a conformity assessment of the qualified trust service providers in accordance with Article 20(2);

(f) to cooperate with the data protection authorities, in particular, by informing them without undue delay, about the results of audits of qualified trust service providers, where personal data protection rules appear to have been breached;

(g) to grant qualified status to trust service providers and to the services they provide and to withdraw this status in accordance with Articles 20 and 21;

(h) to inform the body responsible for the F14 ... trusted list referred to in Article 22(3) about its decisions to grant or to withdraw qualified status, unless that body is also the supervisory body;

(i) to verify the existence and correct application of provisions on termination plans in cases where the qualified trust service provider ceases its activities, including how information is kept accessible in accordance with point (h) of Article 24(2);

(j) to require that trust service providers remedy any failure to fulfil the requirements laid down in this Regulation.

[F15 5. The Secretary of State may give directions to the supervisory body requiring it to establish, maintain and update a trust infrastructure in accordance with the directions.]

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F16 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F6 Art. 17(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F7 Art. 17(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F8 Words in Art. 17(3) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(3)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F9 Words in Art. 17(3)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F10 Words in Art. 17(3)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F11 Art. 17(4)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(4)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F12 Words in Art. 17(4)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(4)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F13 Art. 17(4)(d) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(4)(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F14 Word in Art. 17(4)(h) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(4)(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F15 Art. 17(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F16 Art. 17(6)-(8) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(6); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F17 Article 18 U.K. Co-operation with EU authorities

1. The supervisory body may give information and assistance to, and otherwise co-operate with, a [F18 public authority in the EU] [F18 designated overseas authority] if the supervisory body considers that to do so would be in the interests of effective regulation or supervision of trust services (whether inside or outside the United Kingdom).

2. Nothing in paragraph 1 authorises the processing of personal data other than in accordance with the data protection legislation.

In this paragraph, “processing”, “personal data” and “the data protection legislation” have the meanings given by section 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

[F19 3. In this Article—

• “designated” means designated by regulations made by the Secretary of State that are in force;

• “overseas authority” means a person, or description of person, with functions relating to the regulation or supervision of trust services outside the United Kingdom.

4. Before making regulations under this Article, the Secretary of State must consult the supervisory body.

5. Regulations under this Article may include transitional or transitory provision or savings.

6. Regulations under this Article are to be made by statutory instrument.

7. A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Article is subject to annulment in pursuance of either House of Parliament.]]

Textual Amendments

F17 Art. 18 substituted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 13; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F18 Words in Art. 18(1) substituted (19.6.2025 for specified purposes) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 133(3), 142(1)(2)(h)

F19 Art. 18(3)-(7) inserted (19.6.2025 for specified purposes) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 133(5), 142(1)(2)(h)

Article 19 U.K. Security requirements applicable to trust service providers

1. Qualified and non-qualified trust service providers [F20 established in the United Kingdom] shall take appropriate technical and organisational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of the trust services they provide. Having regard to the latest technological developments, those measures shall ensure that the level of security is commensurate to the degree of risk. In particular, measures shall be taken to prevent and minimise the impact of security incidents and inform stakeholders of the adverse effects of any such incidents.

2. Qualified and non-qualified trust service providers [F21 established in the United Kingdom] shall, without undue delay but in any event within 24 hours after having become aware of it, notify the supervisory body F22 ... of any breach of security or loss of integrity that has a significant impact on the trust service provided or on the personal data maintained therein.

Where the breach of security or loss of integrity is likely to adversely affect a natural or legal person to whom the trusted service has been provided, the trust service provider shall also notify the natural or legal person of the breach of security or loss of integrity without undue delay.

F23 ...

The notified supervisory body shall inform the public or require the trust service provider to do so, where it determines that disclosure of the breach of security or loss of integrity is in the public interest.

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F25 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in Art. 19(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F21 Words in Art. 19(2) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(3)(a)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F22 Words in Art. 19(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(3)(a)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F23 Words in Art. 19(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Art. 19(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F25 Art. 19(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 14(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 3 U.K. Qualified trust services

Article 20 U.K. Supervision of qualified trust service providers

1. Qualified trust service providers shall be audited at their own expense at least every 24 months by a conformity assessment body. The purpose of the audit shall be to confirm that the qualified trust service providers and the qualified trust services provided by them fulfil the requirements laid down in this Regulation. The qualified trust service providers shall submit the resulting conformity assessment report to the supervisory body within the period of three working days after receiving it.

2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, the supervisory body may at any time audit or request a conformity assessment body to perform a conformity assessment of the qualified trust service providers, at the expense of those trust service providers, to confirm that they and the qualified trust services provided by them fulfil the requirements laid down in this Regulation. Where personal data protection rules appear to have been breached, the supervisory body shall inform the data protection authorities of the results of its audits.

3. Where the supervisory body requires the qualified trust service provider to remedy any failure to fulfil requirements under this Regulation and where that provider does not act accordingly, and if applicable within a time limit set by the supervisory body, the supervisory body, taking into account, in particular, the extent, duration and consequences of that failure, may withdraw the qualified status of that provider or of the affected service it provides and inform the body referred to in Article 22(3) for the purposes of updating the trusted [F26 list] referred to in Article 22(1). The supervisory body shall inform the qualified trust service provider of the withdrawal of its qualified status or of the qualified status of the service concerned.

F27 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F26 Word in Art. 20(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 15(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F27 Art. 20(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 15(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 21 U.K. Initiation of a qualified trust service

1. Where trust service providers [F28 established in the United Kingdom], without qualified status, intend to start providing qualified trust services, they shall submit to the supervisory body a notification of their intention together with a conformity assessment report issued by a conformity assessment body.

2. The supervisory body shall verify whether the trust service provider and the trust services provided by it comply with the requirements laid down in this Regulation, and in particular, with the requirements for qualified trust service providers and for the qualified trust services they provide.

If the supervisory body concludes that the trust service provider and the trust services provided by it comply with the requirements referred to in the first subparagraph, the supervisory body shall grant qualified status to the trust service provider and the trust services it provides and inform the body referred to in Article 22(3) for the purposes of updating the trusted [F29 list] referred to in Article 22(1), not later than three months after notification in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.

If the verification is not concluded within three months of notification, the supervisory body shall inform the trust service provider specifying the reasons for the delay and the period within which the verification is to be concluded.

3. Qualified trust service providers may begin to provide the qualified trust service after the qualified status has been indicated in the trusted [F30 list] referred to in Article 22(1).

F31 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F28 Words in Art. 21(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 16(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F29 Word in Art. 21(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 16(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F30 Word in Art. 21(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 16(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F31 Art. 21(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 16(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F32 Article 22 U.K. Trusted list

1. The Secretary of State must make arrangements for the maintenance and publication of a trusted list, containing information relating to qualified trust service providers and the qualified trust services provided by them.

2. The arrangements must provide for the maintenance and publication of the trusted list, in a secured manner, in a form that is electronically signed or sealed and suitable for automated processing.

3. The arrangements must provide for a body to be responsible for the maintenance and publication of the trusted list.

4. The arrangements may provide for the trusted list to include information relating to trust service providers established in the United Kingdom that do not have qualified status, and the trust services provided by them. Where the arrangements do so, they must also provide for the list to indicate clearly which providers and services are not qualified.

5. The arrangements must provide for the publication, in a form that is electronically signed or sealed and suitable for automated processing, of:

(a) information on the body referred to in paragraph 3, and

(b) details of where the trusted list is published, the certificates used to sign or seal the list, and any changes thereto.

6. The trusted list maintained under this Article is initially to consist of the information that was in the list maintained immediately before exit day under Article 22 of this Regulation as it then had effect.]

Textual Amendments

F32 Art. 22 substituted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 17; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F33 Article 23 U.K. EU trust mark for qualified trust services

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Textual Amendments

F33 Art. 23 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 18; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 24 U.K. Requirements for qualified trust service providers

1. When issuing a qualified certificate for a trust service, a qualified trust service provider shall verify, by appropriate means F34 ..., the identity and, if applicable, any specific attributes of the natural or legal person to whom the qualified certificate is issued.

The information referred to in the first subparagraph shall be verified by the qualified trust service provider either directly or by relying on a third party F35 ...:

(a) by the physical presence of the natural person or of an authorised representative of the legal person; or

(b) remotely, using electronic identification means, for which prior to the issuance of the qualified certificate, a physical presence of the natural person or of an authorised representative of the legal person was ensured and which meets the requirements [F36 for the assurance levels ‘substantial’ or ‘high’ under the equivalent EU law so far as relating to electronic identification schemes (or would meet those requirements if they were not predicated on the doing of anything in, or by, a member State)]; or

(c) by means of a certificate of a qualified electronic signature or of a qualified electronic seal issued in compliance with point (a) or (b); or

(d) by using other identification methods F37 ... which provide equivalent assurance in terms of reliability to physical presence. The equivalent assurance shall be confirmed by a conformity assessment body.

2. A qualified trust service provider providing qualified trust services shall:

(a) inform the supervisory body of any change in the provision of its qualified trust services and an intention to cease those activities;

(b) employ staff and, if applicable, subcontractors who possess the necessary expertise, reliability, experience, and qualifications and who have received appropriate training regarding security and personal data protection rules and shall apply administrative and management procedures which correspond to European or international standards;

(c) with regard to the risk of liability for damages in accordance with Article 13, maintain sufficient financial resources and/or obtain appropriate liability insurance F38 ...;

(d) before entering into a contractual relationship, inform, in a clear and comprehensive manner, any person seeking to use a qualified trust service of the precise terms and conditions regarding the use of that service, including any limitations on its use;

(e) use trustworthy systems and products that are protected against modification and ensure the technical security and reliability of the processes supported by them;

(f) use trustworthy systems to store data provided to it, in a verifiable form so that:

(i)

they are publicly available for retrieval only where the consent of the person to whom the data relates has been obtained,

(ii)

only authorised persons can make entries and changes to the stored data,

(iii)

the data can be checked for authenticity;

(g) take appropriate measures against forgery and theft of data;

(h) record and keep accessible for an appropriate period of time, including after the activities of the qualified trust service provider have ceased, all relevant information concerning data issued and received by the qualified trust service provider, in particular, for the purpose of providing evidence in legal proceedings and for the purpose of ensuring continuity of the service. Such recording may be done electronically;

(i) have an up-to-date termination plan to ensure continuity of service in accordance with provisions verified by the supervisory body under point (i) of Article 17(4);

(j) ensure lawful processing of personal data F39 ...;

(k) in case of qualified trust service providers issuing qualified certificates, establish and keep updated a certificate database.

3. If a qualified trust service provider issuing qualified certificates decides to revoke a certificate, it shall register such revocation in its certificate database and publish the revocation status of the certificate in a timely manner, and in any event within 24 hours after the receipt of the request. The revocation shall become effective immediately upon its publication.

4. With regard to paragraph 3, qualified trust service providers issuing qualified certificates shall provide to any relying party information on the validity or revocation status of qualified certificates issued by them. This information shall be made available at least on a per certificate basis at any time and beyond the validity period of the certificate in an automated manner that is reliable, free of charge and efficient.

F40 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in Art. 24(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(2)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F35 Words in Art. 24(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(2)(b)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F36 Words in Art. 24(1)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(2)(b)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F37 Words in Art. 24(1)(d) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(2)(b)(iii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F38 Words in Art. 24(2)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(3)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F39 Words in Art. 24(2)(j) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F40 Art. 24(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 19(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F41 Article 24A U.K. Recognition of EU standards etc.

1. For the purposes of Articles 25(2), 27, 35(2), 37, 41(2) and 43(2) (and any implementing measures having effect for the purposes of those provisions), anything which is not qualified under this Regulation is to be treated as qualified if:

(a) it is qualified under the equivalent EU law, or

(b) the application of any one or more of the assumptions in paragraph 2 would result in its being qualified under either this Regulation or the equivalent EU law.

2. The assumptions are:

(a) to the extent that being qualified depends on anything being done by a qualified trust services provider, that a trust services provider with qualified status under this Regulation has qualified status under the equivalent EU law (and vice versa);

(b) to the extent that being qualified depends on any related service, device, process or record being qualified, that any such thing that is qualified under this Regulation is qualified under the equivalent EU law (and vice versa);

(c) to the extent that being qualified depends on meeting any technical standard or requirement, that anything meeting such a standard or requirement under this Regulation meets any corresponding standard or requirement under the equivalent EU law (and vice versa).

3. For the purposes of this Article, a trust service is not to be regarded as being qualified under the equivalent EU law if it is qualified (or is treated as such) only by virtue of provision for the recognition of trust services provided by entities established outside the EU pursuant to an international agreement to which the EU is party.]

Textual Amendments

F41 Art. 24A inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 20; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 4 U.K. Electronic signatures

Article 25 U.K. Legal effects of electronic signatures

1. An electronic signature shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures.

2. A qualified electronic signature shall have the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature.

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Textual Amendments

F42 Art. 25(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 21; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 26 U.K. Requirements for advanced electronic signatures

An advanced electronic signature shall meet the following requirements:

(a)

it is uniquely linked to the signatory;

(b)

it is capable of identifying the signatory;

(c)

it is created using electronic signature creation data that the signatory can, with a high level of confidence, use under his sole control; and

(d)

it is linked to the data signed therewith in such a way that any subsequent change in the data is detectable.

Article 27 U.K. Electronic signatures in public services

[F43 1. If a public sector body requires an advanced electronic signature for the use of an online service offered by or on behalf of that body (but does not require it to be based on a qualified certificate for electronic signature), the body must recognise any advanced electronic signature (whether or not based on a qualified certificate for electronic signature) that complies with the Implementing Decision.

2. If a public sector body requires an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate for electronic signature to use an online service offered by or on behalf of that body, the body must recognise any advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate for electronic signature, or any qualified electronic signature, that complies with the Implementing Decision.

3. If a public sector body requires an electronic signature to use an online service offered by or on behalf of that body, the body may not, for the use of that service from a place outside the United Kingdom, require the signature to be at a higher security level than that of a qualified electronic signature.]

F44 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F45 5. In this Article “the Implementing Decision” means Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1506 laying down specifications relating to formats of advanced electronic signatures and advanced seals to be recognised by public sector bodies.]

Textual Amendments

F43 Art. 27(1)-(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F44 Art. 27(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(3); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F45 Art. 27(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 28 U.K. Qualified certificates for electronic signatures

1. Qualified certificates for electronic signatures shall meet the requirements laid down in Annex I.

F46 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Qualified certificates for electronic signatures may include non-mandatory additional specific attributes. Those attributes shall not affect the interoperability and recognition of qualified electronic signatures.

4. If a qualified certificate for electronic signatures has been revoked after initial activation, it shall lose its validity from the moment of its revocation, and its status shall not in any circumstances be reverted.

F47 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F48 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F46 Art. 28(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F47 Art. 28(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F48 Art. 28(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 29 U.K. Requirements for qualified electronic signature creation devices

1. Qualified electronic signature creation devices shall meet the requirements laid down in Annex II.

F49 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F49 Art. 29(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 24; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 30 U.K. Certification of qualified electronic signature creation devices

1. Conformity of qualified electronic signature creation devices with the requirements laid down in Annex II shall be certified by appropriate public or private bodies designated by [F50 a person appointed for that purpose by the Secretary of State (“the appointed person”)].

[F51 2. The appointed person must notify the supervisory body of the name and address of any body the person designates under paragraph 1.

2A. The supervisory body must maintain a list of the names and addresses of the designated bodies notified to it under paragraph 2.]

3. The certification referred to in paragraph 1 shall be based on one of the following:

(a) a security evaluation process [F52 that complies with the Implementing Decision]; or

(b) a process other than the process referred to in point (a), provided that it uses comparable security levels and provided that the public or private body referred to in paragraph 1 notifies that process to the [F53 supervisory body]. That process may be used only in the absence of standards referred to in point (a) or when a security evaluation process referred to in point (a) is ongoing.

[F54 In this paragraph “the Implementing Decision” means Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/650 laying down standards for the security assessment of qualified signature and seal creation devices.]

F55 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F50 Words in Art. 30(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F51 Art. 30(2)(2A) substituted for Art. 30(2) (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(3); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F52 Words in Art. 30(3)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(4)(a)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F53 Words in Art. 30(3)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(4)(a)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F54 Words in Art. 30(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(4)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F55 Art. 30(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 25(5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 31 U.K. Publication of a list of certified qualified electronic signature creation devices

[F56 1. A body designated under Article 30(1) must notify the supervisory body as soon as reasonably practicable of any certification of conformity that it makes, or cancels, for the purposes of Article 30.

2. The supervisory body must maintain and publish a list of electronic signature creation devices the certification of which is notified to it under paragraph 1.]

F57 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F56 Art. 31(1)(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 26(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F57 Art. 31(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 26(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 32 U.K. Requirements for the validation of qualified electronic signatures

1. The process for the validation of a qualified electronic signature shall confirm the validity of a qualified electronic signature provided that:

(a) the certificate that supports the signature was, at the time of signing, a qualified certificate for electronic signature complying with Annex I;

(b) the qualified certificate was issued by a qualified trust service provider and was valid at the time of signing;

(c) the signature validation data corresponds to the data provided to the relying party;

(d) the unique set of data representing the signatory in the certificate is correctly provided to the relying party;

(e) the use of any pseudonym is clearly indicated to the relying party if a pseudonym was used at the time of signing;

(f) the electronic signature was created by a qualified electronic signature creation device;

(g) the integrity of the signed data has not been compromised;

(h) the requirements provided for in Article 26 were met at the time of signing.

2. The system used for validating the qualified electronic signature shall provide to the relying party the correct result of the validation process and shall allow the relying party to detect any security relevant issues.

F58 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F58 Art. 32(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 27; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 33 U.K. Qualified validation service for qualified electronic signatures

1. A qualified validation service for qualified electronic signatures may only be provided by a qualified trust service provider who:

(a) provides validation in compliance with Article 32(1); and

(b) allows relying parties to receive the result of the validation process in an automated manner, which is reliable, efficient and bears the advanced electronic signature or advanced electronic seal of the provider of the qualified validation service.

F59 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F59 Art. 33(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 28; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 34 U.K. Qualified preservation service for qualified electronic signatures

1. A qualified preservation service for qualified electronic signatures may only be provided by a qualified trust service provider that uses procedures and technologies capable of extending the trustworthiness of the qualified electronic signature beyond the technological validity period.

F60 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F60 Art. 34(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 29; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 5 U.K. Electronic seals

Article 35 U.K. Legal effects of electronic seals

1. An electronic seal shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic seals.

2. A qualified electronic seal shall enjoy the presumption of integrity of the data and of correctness of the origin of that data to which the qualified electronic seal is linked.

F61 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F61 Art. 35(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 30; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 36 U.K. Requirements for advanced electronic seals

An advanced electronic seal shall meet the following requirements:

(a)

it is uniquely linked to the creator of the seal;

(b)

it is capable of identifying the creator of the seal;

(c)

it is created using electronic seal creation data that the creator of the seal can, with a high level of confidence under its control, use for electronic seal creation; and

(d)

it is linked to the data to which it relates in such a way that any subsequent change in the data is detectable.

Article 37 U.K. Electronic seals in public services

[F62 1. If a public sector body requires an advanced electronic seal for the use of an online service offered by or on behalf of that body (but does not require it to be based on a qualified certificate for electronic seal), the body must recognise any advanced electronic seal (whether or not based on a qualified certificate for electronic seal) that complies with the Implementing Decision.

2. If a public sector body requires an advanced electronic seal based on a qualified certificate for electronic seal to use an online service offered by or on behalf of that body, the body must recognise any advanced electronic seal based on a qualified certificate for electronic seal, or any qualified electronic seal, that complies with the Implementing Decision.

3. If a public sector body requires an electronic seal to use an online service offered by or on behalf of that body, the body may not, for the use of that service from a place outside the United Kingdom, require the seal to be at a higher security level than that of a qualified electronic seal.]

F63 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F64 5. In this Article “the Implementing Decision” means Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1506 laying down specifications relating to formats of advanced electronic signatures and advanced seals to be recognised by public sector bodies.]

Textual Amendments

F62 Art. 37(1)-(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 31(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F63 Art. 37(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 31(3); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F64 Art. 37(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 31(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 38 U.K. Qualified certificates for electronic seals

1. Qualified certificates for electronic seals shall meet the requirements laid down in Annex III.

F65 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Qualified certificates for electronic seals may include non-mandatory additional specific attributes. Those attributes shall not affect the interoperability and recognition of qualified electronic seals.

4. If a qualified certificate for an electronic seal has been revoked after initial activation, it shall lose its validity from the moment of its revocation, and its status shall not in any circumstances be reverted.

F66 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F67 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F65 Art. 38(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 32; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F66 Art. 38(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 32; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F67 Art. 38(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 32; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 39 U.K. Qualified electronic seal creation devices

1. Article 29 shall apply mutatis mutandis to requirements for qualified electronic seal creation devices.

2. Article 30 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the certification of qualified electronic seal creation devices.

3. Article 31 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the publication of a list of certified qualified electronic seal creation devices.

Article 40 U.K. Validation and preservation of qualified electronic seals

Articles 32, 33 and 34 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the validation and preservation of qualified electronic seals.

SECTION 6 U.K. Electronic time stamps

Article 41 U.K. Legal effect of electronic time stamps

1. An electronic time stamp shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements of the qualified electronic time stamp.

2. A qualified electronic time stamp shall enjoy the presumption of the accuracy of the date and the time it indicates and the integrity of the data to which the date and time are bound.

F68 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F68 Art. 41(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 33; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 42 U.K. Requirements for qualified electronic time stamps

1. A qualified electronic time stamp shall meet the following requirements:

(a) it binds the date and time to data in such a manner as to reasonably preclude the possibility of the data being changed undetectably;

(b) it is based on an accurate time source linked to Coordinated Universal Time; and

(c) it is signed using an advanced electronic signature or sealed with an advanced electronic seal of the qualified trust service provider, or by some equivalent method.

F69 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F69 Art. 42(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 34; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 7 U.K. Electronic registered delivery services

Article 43 U.K. Legal effect of an electronic registered delivery service

1. Data sent and received using an electronic registered delivery service shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements of the qualified electronic registered delivery service.

2. Data sent and received using a qualified electronic registered delivery service shall enjoy the presumption of the integrity of the data, the sending of that data by the identified sender, its receipt by the identified addressee and the accuracy of the date and time of sending and receipt indicated by the qualified electronic registered delivery service.

Article 44 U.K. Requirements for qualified electronic registered delivery services

1. Qualified electronic registered delivery services shall meet the following requirements:

(a) they are provided by one or more qualified trust service provider(s);

(b) they ensure with a high level of confidence the identification of the sender;

(c) they ensure the identification of the addressee before the delivery of the data;

(d) the sending and receiving of data is secured by an advanced electronic signature or an advanced electronic seal of a qualified trust service provider in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of the data being changed undetectably;

(e) any change of the data needed for the purpose of sending or receiving the data is clearly indicated to the sender and addressee of the data;

(f) the date and time of sending, receiving and any change of data are indicated by a qualified electronic time stamp.

In the event of the data being transferred between two or more qualified trust service providers, the requirements in points (a) to (f) shall apply to all the qualified trust service providers.

F70 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F70 Art. 44(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 35; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

SECTION 8 U.K. Website authentication

Article 45 U.K. Requirements for qualified certificates for website authentication

1. Qualified certificates for website authentication shall meet the requirements laid down in Annex IV.

F71 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F71 Art. 45(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/89), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 36; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F72 SECTION 9 U.K. Recognition of overseas trust services

Article 45A U.K. Legal effects of overseas electronic signatures etc

1. The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that, for the purposes of Articles 25(2), 35(2), 41(2) and 43(2), an overseas trust product of a specified description is to be treated as qualified.

2. In this Article—

• “overseas”, in relation to a trust product, means provided by a person established in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom;

• “specified” means specified by regulations under this Article;

• “trust product” means an electronic signature, an electronic seal, an electronic time stamp or an electronic registered delivery service.

3. The Secretary of State may not make regulations under this Article specifying a description of overseas trust product unless satisfied that the reliability of such a product is at least equivalent to the reliability of a comparable trust product that is qualified.

4. When making regulations under this Article in relation to a description of overseas trust product, the Secretary of State must have regard to (among other things) the law in the other country or territory relevant to that description of product and related trust services.

Article 45B U.K. Overseas signatures and seals in public service

1. The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that an overseas electronic signature of a specified description is to be treated—

(a) for the purposes of Article 27(1), as an advanced electronic signature that complies with the Implementing Decision;

(b) for the purposes of Article 27(2), as an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate for electronic signature, or a qualified signature, that complies with the Implementing Decision.

2. The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that an overseas electronic seal of a specified description is to be treated—

(a) for the purposes of Article 37(1), as an advanced electronic seal that complies with the Implementing Decision;

(b) for the purposes of Article 37(2), as an advanced electronic seal based on a qualified certificate for electronic seal, or a qualified seal, that complies with the Implementing Decision.

3. In this Article—

• “the Implementing Decision” means Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1506 laying down specifications relating to formats of advanced electronic signatures and advanced seals to be recognised by public sector bodies;

• “overseas”, in relation to an electronic signature or electronic seal, means provided by a person established in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom;

• “specified” means specified by regulations made under this Article.

4. The Secretary of State may not make regulations under point (a) or (b) of paragraph 1 or point (a) or (b) of paragraph 2 specifying a description of overseas electronic signature or overseas electronic seal unless satisfied that the reliability of such a signature or seal is at least equivalent to the reliability of a signature or seal described in that point.

5. When making regulations under this Article in relation to a description of overseas electronic signature or overseas electronic seal, the Secretary of State must have regard to (among other things) the law in the other country or territory relevant to that description of signature or seal and related trust services.

Article 45C U.K. Regulations under this Section

1. Before making regulations under Article 45A or 45B, the Secretary of State must consult the supervisory body.

2. Regulations under Article 45A or 45B—

(a) may describe something by (among other things) describing something that meets a condition specified in the regulations or is provided by a person who meets such a condition, and

(b) may include a condition referring to (among other things) the law of the other country or territory or a standard or other document, including the law, standard or other document as amended from time to time.

3. Regulations under Article 45A or 45B may—

(a) make different provision for different purposes, including for the purposes of different provisions of this Regulation, and

(b) include transitional or transitory provision or savings.

4. Regulations under Article 45A or 45B are to be made by statutory instrument.

5. A statutory instrument containing regulations under Article 45A or 45B is subject to annulment in pursuance of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F72 Ch. 3 Section 9 inserted (19.6.2025 for specified purposes) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 132(2), 142(1)(2)(h)