European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI)

EBSI is a European initiative for a shared blockchain infrastructure, designed to make public services more secure and transparent. This enables public authorities to verify digital qualifications and identities and to share business information reliably, as just a few examples. EBSI enhances digital sovereignty and cooperation in Europe.

In Italy, tests are being carried out to see how, using the EBSI trust layer, business information, such as extracts from the Commercial Register, can be shared digitally and securely with other European countries. This enables foreign authorities to instantly check whether a company actually exists, without the need for paper-based procedures or complex technical interfaces. This system ensures straightforward, reliable and swift verification of company details, which significantly speeds up and simplifies cross-border cooperation.

The EBSI trust layer is a system that uses blockchain technology, Verifiable Credentials and digital wallets to build trust in cross-border digital services. It provides a decentralised and verifiable process whereby organisations can check whether a credential is genuine without needing to know every sender personally. This is achieved through a trust model, in which accredited organisations register their rules and authorisations in a public database. This enables verification systems to easily check whether the credentials are authentic and reliable. The model functions as a digital chain of trust, in which this trust is passed down from the top. This enables secure and transparent collaboration between organisations and countries.

RINIS helps organisations connect to EBSI as a platform. This gives them access to a distributed network for the secure and transparent exchange of digital data: from identity details and certificates to interoperability with partners across the EU. RINIS supports the adoption and integration of EBSI services and is involved in the DC4EU pilot project, which deals with digital documents in the areas of education and social security, in amongst other things.

Architecture

EBSI is a blockchain network with nodes across Europe. The network supports European standards such as eIDAS and eDelivery AS4, and enables the secure and scalable exchange of data and decentralised identification. EBSI integrates with existing government architectures and data exchange networks.

Technology

RINIS administers a pilot node within EBSI, enabling Dutch organisations to connect to EBSI. They can use blockchain solutions for purposes including digital identification, verified transactions and certificate management with guaranteed privacy and compliance.