The Federal Decree Law No.46 of 2021 on Electronic Transaction and Trust Services in the internal market and repealing Cabinet Decision 8/291 of 2006 establishes a clear, attractive but regulated legal framework for electronic trust services, the conditions under which Trust Services can be legally recognized in the country. The Decree law defines the rules for provisioning Trust Services in the country, such as, electronic signatures, electronic seals, electronic time stamps, electronic documents, certified electronic delivery services and certificate services for website authentication.

The executive regulations detailing the requirements for Trust Service Providers (TSPs) and the Trust Services they provide and the Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) and the Qualified Trust Services they provide are currently available in our documents page.

The Cabinet Resolution No. (28) of 2023 defines the process for licensing TSPs and Both TSPs and QTSPs must submit a licensing application to TDRA and obtain a license before they can provide (Qualified) Trust Services in UAE.

The trust services website provides all required information regarding the regulatory framework, technical standards, application, licensing, and supervision of trust services in UAE. The website also includes the guidelines for the licensing process.

TDRA will publish the date on the trust services website.

Both TSPs and QTSPs must submit a conformity Assessment Report (CAR) issued by a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) at the time of application for license and every time the TSP or QTSP applies for license renewal. Other ad hoc audits can be requested by TDRA.

The requirements for CABs are defined in Resolution on the rules and conditions regulating the work of conformity assessment bodies, adopted pursuant to paragraph 4 of Article (4) of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services, and pursuant to Article (33) of Federal Executive Regulation No. (28) of 2023.

You can find the list of Authorized CABs on TDRA website.

The requirements for QSCDs are defined in Resolution on the rules and conditions regulating the qualified signature/seal creation devices, their certification and approval, adopted pursuant to Article (21) of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services, and pursuant to Articles (26) and (27) of Federal Executive Regulation No. (28) of 2023.

The “UAE Trust Mark” allows only Qualified Trust Service Providers, on a voluntary basis, to the Trust Mark to brand and promote the quality and trustworthiness of the Qualified Trust Service it provides. It is key to note that such a mark is not just another quality logo without any trust foundation.

The current CSPs licenses will expire on January 2, 2024. After this date the CSPs need to apply for new licenses under the new regulatory framework.