Definition: eQualification, within the context of IT interoperability, refers to a digital public service provided by the European Commission that aims to streamline and standardize the process of qualifying and certifying individuals or organizations for various purposes. It involves the development and implementation of a digital platform that enables the secure exchange of qualification-related information between different systems and stakeholders across Europe. This service ensures that qualifications obtained in one country are recognized and accepted in another, facilitating mobility and enhancing the interoperability of digital public services within the European Union. Source: EIRA Team Additional information: eQualification is a crucial aspect of IT interoperability within the context of digital public services in the European Commission. It refers to the process of assessing and certifying the technical and functional capabilities of digital systems, software, and services to ensure their compatibility and seamless integration with other systems and services. In the European Commission, eQualification plays a vital role in promoting the development and deployment of interoperable digital public services across member states. It aims to establish a standardized framework for evaluating the conformity of IT solutions, ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements and standards set by the Commission. The eQualification process involves a comprehensive assessment of various aspects of digital systems, including their technical specifications, functionalities, security measures, and compliance with relevant regulations and standards. It encompasses both the evaluation of individual components and the overall system architecture to ensure their compatibility with existing infrastructure and other interconnected systems. To achieve eQualification, digital public services undergo rigorous testing and validation procedures. These procedures may include functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and interoperability testing. The goal is to verify that the systems can effectively communicate, exchange data, and collaborate with other systems without any disruptions or compatibility issues. The eQualification process is typically carried out by qualified and accredited organizations or laboratories, which are entrusted with assessing the compliance of digital systems with the established standards and requirements. These organizations follow standardized methodologies and criteria to ensure objectivity and consistency in the evaluation process. Once a digital system successfully completes the eQualification process, it is awarded a certification or qualification, indicating its compliance with the specified standards and its interoperability capabilities. This certification serves as evidence of the system's reliability, security, and compatibility, instilling confidence in its users and facilitating its integration into wider digital ecosystems. The eQualification framework in the European Commission fosters the development of interoperable digital public services by providing a common language and set of criteria for assessing the compatibility and quality of IT solutions. It enables member states to leverage standardized and certified systems, reducing duplication of efforts and promoting efficient collaboration and information exchange across borders. Overall, eQualification is a fundamental component of IT interoperability in the context of digital public services in the European Commission. It ensures that digital systems and services meet the necessary standards and requirements, enabling seamless integration and effective collaboration among various stakeholders in the digital ecosystem. Example: One example of the application of eQualification within the context of IT interoperability in a digital public service in the European Commission is the use of eQualification for authentication and authorization purposes. In this scenario, eQualification can be used to verify the qualifications and credentials of individuals accessing the digital service. For instance, when a user wants to access a specific digital public service, they may be required to provide their eQualification, which could be a digital certificate or an electronic identification (eID) card. This eQualification can be used to authenticate the user's identity and verify their qualifications or credentials, such as their professional certifications or educational degrees. By leveraging eQualification in this manner, the digital public service can ensure that only qualified individuals with the necessary credentials are granted access to specific functionalities or sensitive information. This helps to maintain the integrity and security of the service, as well as ensure that the users accessing it possess the required qualifications. Furthermore, eQualification can also be utilized for interoperability purposes between different digital public services within the European Commission. For example, if a user has already provided their eQualification to access one digital service, they may not need to repeat the qualification verification process when accessing another related service. Instead, the previously verified eQualification can be shared or reused, promoting seamless interoperability between different services. This approach streamlines the user experience, reduces redundancy, and enhances efficiency by eliminating the need for users to repeatedly verify their qualifications across multiple digital services. It also promotes trust and confidence in the digital public services provided by the European Commission, as users can rely on their eQualification to access various services securely and conveniently. LOST view: OV-Functional Architecture Principles Identifier: http://data.europa.eu/dr8/egovera/EQualificationBusinessService EIRA traceability: eira:DigitalPublicBusinessService ABB name: egovera:EQualificationBusinessService EIRA concept: eira:ArchitectureBuildingBlock Last modification: 2023-07-06 dct:identifier: http://data.europa.eu/dr8/egovera/EQualificationBusinessService dct:title: eQualification Digital Public Service