trustserviceproviders

Trust service providers are entities that provide digital trust services to enable secure electronic interactions between individuals, organizations, and public authorities. They play a central role in establishing identity, integrity, and non-repudiation for electronic communications and transactions.

In the European Union, trust services are defined and regulated under the eIDAS Regulation. The main services offered by trust service providers include electronic signatures, electronic seals, time-stamps, electronic registered delivery services, and website authentication. Qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) meet higher security and governance requirements and operate under supervisory oversight; their services are recognised across the EU, facilitating cross-border use of digital signatures and related trust services.

Types of trust services commonly provided include electronic signatures that attach a signer’s identity to a document and verify its integrity, electronic seals that authenticate the origin and integrity of data issued by legal entities, and time-stamps that prove a document’s existence at a specific moment. Some providers also offer electronic registered delivery services to certify secure electronic delivery, as well as domain or website authentication to verify site ownership and identity.

Reliability and compliance are central to TSP operations. Providers must implement robust security controls, risk management, incident response, and governance, and they may be subject to audits and regulatory oversight. By supplying standardized, legally recognized trust services, TSPs support digital contracts, e-government, financial services, and other online processes, enabling trust, efficiency, and legal certainty in electronic ecosystems.