News

12.10.2021

EEC Board adopted Plan for mutual recognition of electronic digital signatures by EAEU countries in public procurement

Adopting the document is provided for by the Action plan for implementing the Strategic Directions of the Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025.

According to Arman Shakkaliev, EEC Minister in charge of Competition and Antitrust Regulation, the issue of mutual recognition of EDS is one of the most discussed and sensitive in the field of public procurement. 

"The plan contemplates a number of truly key measures the implementation of which will finally remove the barrier that has long existed in the Union and ensure free access of potential suppliers to participate in procurement", the Minister noted.

The Commission's experts, jointly with representatives of the Member States’ authorized authorities managed to solve problematic issues and come to a consensus on the activities included in the final document.

"Developing uniform rules for mutual recognition of EDS and verifying authenticity as well as requirements for EDS is the future scope of our joint work with the countries. These rules are planned to be adopted within two years. In parallel, efforts will be taken to improve the Union’s law = Treaty on the EAEU and the EEC's Rules of Procedure, since it is required to invest the Commission’s Council with authority to approve the Rules for mutual recognition of EDS as well as to adjust the public procurement procedure in order to digitalize procurement processes to the greatest possible extent", Arman Shakkaliev commented.

Besides, the Plan includes some items that provide for specifying by the participating countries of authorized authorities responsible for providing the EEC with information on recognizing foreign EDS. This entails trusted third parties verifying the authenticity, certified digital signature tools and cryptographic information protection tools used to ensure the participation of potential suppliers in procurement, etc.