Power of Attorney in the Nordic-Baltic region

In response to technological advancements and new EU regulations such as EHDS, eIDAS, EUDIW, and SDG, the Nordic Council of Ministers' MR DIGITAL and the CBDS programme have commissioned a comprehensive analysis of digital Power of Attorney (PoA) solutions in the Nordic-Baltic region. This project aims to understand and further develop digital PoA solutions, ensuring secure and effective electronic interactions for businesses, citizens, and public authorities.

Rambøll Management Consulting (RMC) has been tasked with conducting the analysis which will include a final report which focuses on an "as-is" description and a forward-looking "to-be" part. The "as-is" description will map the current PoA landscape, focusing on differences in governance, technical standards, and the most frequently used PoA in the Nordic and Baltic countries. This will involve identifying practices, particularly for vulnerable and non-digital users, and will depend on the cooperation of stakeholders and the quality of data received.

The "as-is" description will also cover digital aspects, such as differences in digital governance, access, infrastructure, and technical standards for PoA. Legal aspects will be examined, including differences in legal governance, liability, barriers to authorization, and the legal basis for PoA. Additionally, equality aspects will be addressed, outlining the social and economic aspects of the proposed solutions and how different countries have tackled representation for vulnerable people and non-digital users.

The "to-be" analysis will provide recommendations and best practices for future PoA solutions. This analysis will involve evaluating verified credentials, attestation of attributes, and the impact of eIDAS and other relevant legislation. It will also offer recommendations to enhance social and economic equality based on the findings from the "as-is" analysis.

The goal is to create a unified and streamlined understanding and approach to digital PoA solutions, aligned with EU initiatives and tailored to the unique needs and legal traditions of the Nordic-Baltic region, which will be of support to the region's countries and other relevant projects and initatives.