EU’s Digital ID Working Group Holds Inaugural Meeting

The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group held its first meeting this week, marking progress in the European Union’s effort to build its digital ID infrastructure.

The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group is an advisory body established by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Regulation. It aims to facilitate cross-border cooperation between EU Member States on matters related to digital identity wallets, electronic identification schemes, and trust services.

The group provides guidance to the Commission, helps draft relevant regulations, and supports supervisory bodies in applying the EUDI Regulation. It plays a key role in developing a common EU-wide toolbox for digital identity solutions. Its meetings are chaired by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT).

The EUDI Regulation, officially known as Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, entered into force on May 20, establishing a secure and interoperable digital identity system across the European Union. At its core is the introduction of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), a digital ID that allows EU citizens, residents, and businesses to store and manage their digital identity data and official documents securely.

Under the regulation, Member States are required to offer at least one EU Digital Identity Wallet to all citizens and residents by 2026. The wallet is designed to be voluntary and free of charge for individuals, while businesses may incur costs.

The European Digital Identity Cooperation Group convened to discuss all of this on Tuesday, with an agenda that placed a significant focus on governance of the EUDI Wallet ecosystem, and concluded with an update from the European Commission on the state-of-play with respect to national implementations.

Source: European Commission

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September 18, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy