e-Delivery (QERDS) in Cross-Border Operations (QWAC)

e-Delivery (QERDS) in Cross-Border Operations

QERDS (Qualified Electronic Registered Delivery Service) is a qualified electronic delivery service that meets the highest European standards for security and reliability.

Key Features of QERDS:

  • Provides proof of sending and receiving electronic documents.

  • Ensures content integrity during transmission.

  • Complies with the eIDAS Regulation as a qualified trust service within the European Union.


Legal Equivalence

A document delivered via QERDS:

  • Has the same legal value as a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

  • Can be used as legal evidence of sending and delivery in court proceedings.


Technical and Legal Requirements

To be recognized as QERDS, a system must:

  • Be operated by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP).

  • Use qualified certificates such as QWAC (for server authentication and TLS) and QSealC (for data signing).

  • Guarantee data integrity, sender and recipient authentication, and use qualified time stamping.


Legal Basis

  • QERDS is defined in eIDAS Regulation (EU 910/2014), Articles 44–45.

  • It is one of the pillars of digital trust services alongside e-signatures, e-seals, time stamps, and TLS certificates.


QWAC Conditions in Cross-Border Context

  1. QTSP Registration in EUTL
    – The QTSP must be listed in the EU Trusted List (EUTL).
    – Check at: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/tl-browser

  2. Compliance with Technical Profiles
    – Countries like Italy, Germany, or Austria may require specific QWAC extensions (e.g., organization name, VAT number, location). – Some systems also require QSealC usage.

  3. Support by Foreign Systems
    – Systems like Italy’s SDI (Sistema di Interscambio) or PEC (Certified Electronic Mail) accept QWAC and QSealC certificates issued by any EU QTSP, provided they meet national requirements.


QERDS Implementation Status in EU Member States (as of May 20, 2025)

Country

QERDS Status

QWAC (Cross-Border)

QERDS Providers

Notes

Austria

Not implemented

N/A

No

National e-Zustellung in use, but no QERDS provider

Belgium

Fully implemented

Yes

Yes (5)

Aangetekende.email and others equivalent to registered mail

Bulgaria

Implemented (initial)

Yes

Yes (1)

BORICA/B-Trust

Croatia

Implemented (initial)

Yes

Yes (1)

ePošta (Hrvatska Pošta)

Cyprus

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS – communication via email and traditional mail

Czechia

Not implemented

N/A

No

Datové schránky not eIDAS-compliant

Denmark

Not implemented (pilot)

N/A

No

e-Boks not QERDS-compliant

Estonia

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS, no national QWAC policy

Finland

Not implemented

N/A

No

Suomi.fi does not meet QERDS requirements

France

Fully implemented

Yes (mandatory)

Yes (7)

LRE – electronic equivalent of registered letter

Germany

Implemented (limited)

Yes

Yes (1)

De-Mail not eIDAS-compliant; one current QERDS

Greece

Not implemented

N/A

No

No pilots or QWAC policy

Hungary

Implemented (initial)

Yes

Yes (1)

Service still developing

Ireland

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS providers; traditional methods used

Italy

In transition (PEC)

Yes (planned)

No

PEC transforming to comply with QERDS

Latvia

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS infrastructure

Lithuania

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS providers

Luxembourg

Not implemented

N/A

No

QTSPs exist, but no QERDS

Malta

Not implemented

N/A

No

Traditional communication, no QERDS

Netherlands

Implemented (initial)

Yes

Yes (1)

Aangetekend Mailen operating as QERDS

Poland

Fully implemented

Yes (mandatory)

Yes (3)

e-Delivery; address required from April 1, 2025

Portugal

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS

Romania

Not implemented

N/A

No

No QERDS; digital signatures used

Slovakia

Not implemented

N/A

No

Government portal not qualified as QERDS

Slovenia

Implemented (initial)

Yes

Yes (1)

Small scale, eIDAS-compliant

Spain

Fully implemented

Yes

Yes (14)

Widely used in public and private sectors

Sweden

Not implemented

N/A

No

Kivra and Min Myndighetspost not qualified services

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