02.09.2009

Act on electronic identification to promote the provision and use of identification services

The Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Signatures entered into force on 1 September 2009 and will replace the Act on Electronic Signatures issued in 2003.

The objective of the Act is to create common rules for the provision of strong electronic identification services. It will likewise promote the provision of identification services and use of electronic signatures.

The Act is founded on the principle that users must be able to trust information security and protection of privacy when they use strong electronic identification services.

It is the responsibility of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) to monitor that identification-service-providers and certification-service-providers that provide qualified certificates comply with the obligations imposed on them. Therefore, they must supply FICORA with information on the start of operations, significant changes therein and end of operations. FICORA maintains a public register on the above-mentioned service providers.

In addition, FICORA may, if necessary, issue technical regulations on the requirements for the reliability and information security of the operations of identification-service-providers and those certification-service-providers who provide qualified certificates. Also, FICORA gives advice and guidelines on matters regarding identification services, electronic signatures and certificate services, monitors how international standardisation groups operate and follows international progress in the fields of strong electronic identification and electronic signatures.

Further information:

Legal Counsel Sanna Hughes, tel.: +358 9 6966 870, +358 400 440 903