Trust services in digital format and Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSP): their definitions and reasons for selection

Trust services in digital format and Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSP): their definitions and reasons for selection

In the digital age, ensuring the reliability and security of online transactions is paramount. This is where Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) come into play, offering a suite of services that guarantee the highest standards of trust and compliance in digital transactions.

According to the European eIDAS Regulation, QTSPs provide services such as electronic signature, electronic seal, timestamps, certified delivery, website authentication, and electronic archiving. These trust services are essential for maintaining the integrity and authenticity of digital transactions, offering enhanced legal certainty, high security standards, interoperability across EU member states, and compliance support for regulated digital transactions.

QTSPs are subject to rigorous third-party audits and must comply with strict legal and technical requirements under eIDAS. This ensures robust security guarantees and infrastructure certification, providing a secure foundation for digital interactions.

One of the key benefits of working with a QTSP is the cross-border recognition and interoperability of digital signatures and trust services within the EU’s digital single market. This feature enables seamless transactions across borders, breaking down barriers and fostering a more integrated digital economy.

QTSPs also provide liability transfer for signature validity and non-repudiation, reducing organizational risk by shifting responsibility to certified providers with proven reliability. Furthermore, they facilitate compliance with regulatory frameworks, supporting digital transformation initiatives by guaranteeing trustworthiness and auditability of electronic transactions.

In addition to these core services, QTSPs like Intesa offer a wide range of solutions tailored to specific industries and business needs. These include document archiving in compliance with regulations, digital onboarding of clients, EDI - Electronic Data Interchange, electronic invoicing platform, cross-border electronic invoicing, corporate electronic signature, electronic seal, document management software, and supply chain management.

Intesa, as a Qualified Trust Service Provider, offers a full range of trust services that meet the highest security and regulatory compliance standards. By relying on qualified providers like Intesa, businesses can enable a sustainable digital transformation and reduce technical and legal risks.

The European eIDAS regulation, enacted in 2016, aims to enhance trust in electronic transactions. The regulation defines and regulates electronic trust services, also known as "trusted services". It maintains an up-to-date list, the EU Trusted List of Trust Service Provider, of qualified providers and services.

In some cases, additional security levels may be required for electronic archiving. Nevertheless, electronic archiving, provided by Trust Service Providers (TSP), gives legal effect to documents on which it is placed.

In conclusion, working with a QTSP ensures your digital signature and trust services are compliant with the highest EU standards, legally recognized across member states, highly secure, and supported by qualified certificates and audit-backed processes critical for regulated and high-stakes digital business interactions. Embracing QTSPs is a crucial step towards a secure and efficient digital future.

[1] European Commission. (2021). eIDAS Regulation. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12422-Trust-Services-and-electronic-signatures-in-the-Internal-Market [Accessed 20 Apr. 2023].

[2] European Commission. (2021). eIDAS Regulation. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12422-Trust-Services-and-electronic-signatures-in-the-Internal-Market [Accessed 20 Apr. 2023].

[3] European Commission. (2021). eIDAS Regulation. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12422-Trust-Services-and-electronic-signatures-in-the-Internal-Market [Accessed 20 Apr. 2023].

[4] European Commission. (2021). eIDAS Regulation. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12422-Trust-Services-and-electronic-signatures-in-the-Internal-Market [Accessed 20 Apr. 2023].

[5] European Commission. (2021). eIDAS Regulation. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12422-Trust-Services-and-electronic-signatures-in-the-Internal-Market [Accessed 20 Apr. 2023].

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