Q&A

Having been developed by the business community in collaboration with the public administration, eHerkenning is the product of a ‘public-private partnership’. It is supplied and managed by commercial parties. These parties either offer eHerkenning means (login means) or technically connect organizations to eHerkenning.

Only authorized suppliers, supervised by the central government, may supply eHerkenning. All these suppliers need to live up to the strict demands and limitations eHerkenning needs. The public administration sees to it that these arrangements are complied with. This means that security and functional quality are guaranteed.

All these parties work together according to arrangements that they have made with one another and with the public administration. They offer eHerkenning login means, or function as the party that makes the technical connection between organizations and eHerkenning. This means these parties are primarily responsible for the management, supply and further development of eHerkenning, as well as for repairing malfunctions, for communication and for handling any complaints and problems that their customers may have.

eHerkenning is an initiative of the Central Public Administration and is developed in collaboration with the business community. It is supplied by authorized private parties that act under the supervision of the Central Public Administration. In concrete terms, this means that you conclude an agreement with one of the recognised suppliers rather than the public administration. This goes for both the purchase of a login means as for the connection to the eHerkenning network. All recognised suppliers comply with the stringent eHerkenning requirements and arrangements (Trust Framework). The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has commissioned Logius to manage the Trust Framework.

The Framework guarantees continued use, since there is no single point of failure. If one provider discontinues operations, this will not jeopardise the continuity of the Framework. What is more, competition between providers reduces prices and ensures that there is much to be gained by a customer-friendly attitude. It is also easier for the Framework to respond to the latest technological developments.

Every reliable login identification system entails costs for development and management. The costs are met directly from contributions or indirectly from tax proceeds. A login means such as DigiD does not come cheap, either. The same goes for identity cards, which may be used for several purposes in contacts with the authorities and private organizations.

The costs for eHerkenning are paid for by the authorized suppliers and the users of the system: the organizations that offer services and the business owners that receive these services. Competition between the authorized suppliers brings down the price for eHerkenning.

This is arranged differently for DigiD. DigiD is issued by the public administration and the associated costs are paid by the public-sector organizations that use DigiD.

eHerkenning already allows users to log in to over 500 public service providers.

The recognised eHerkenning suppliers must determine their own prices for an eHerkenning means while competing with one another. The price of an eHerkenning means is based on fixed and variable cost items plus a profit mark-up.

Fixed costs include software and organizational costs and costs of management, maintenance, security (including fraud control) and compliance.

Variable costs (staff costs in particular) depend on the level of assurance. For each application, identity and authority must be ascertained with a certain degree of assurance.

If your contact details have changed, you may inform your supplier of the new details.

If you handle your own tax return, you can use the Tax Administration’s own EH3 tool, and apply for compensation. Contact one of the authorized suppliers that supply Tax Administration EH3. You can find a list of all the authorized suppliers in the list of suppliers.

The compensation is given by the government and can be applied for at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). You can do so by logging into the Tax Administration with your EH3 tool. The compensation scheme can be applied for starting August 2020. The authorized eHerkenning suppliers will inform their customers about this, too.

For more information, you can check the website of the Tax and Customs Administration, or contact one of the authorized suppliers.

We set great store by consumers being properly informed of eHerkenning and the suppliers that offer eHerkenning. Are they doing well? Does their customer service stand out? Do they supply what they promise? That is why we intend to make customer experiences as transparent as possible.

The suppliers participate in our independent customer experience survey. The experiences are also available in the list of suppliers. We have engaged an independent research agency, Panteia, to collect reviews. The data collected are obviously processed anonymously and treated in confidence. This means that your anonymity is guaranteed.

The parties involved in eHerkenning (brokers, means suppliers, service providers and the management organization) may submit a Request for Change (RfC).

Such a request may cover:

• errors: such as an incorrect reference
• issues: all or part of a functionality cannot be applied
• use cases: new functionalities desired

A service provider contacts the broker for a Request for Change; a user contacts the means supplier. RfCs are discussed by the Operational Body.

More information about the RfC process is available in the Trust Framework for Electronic Identification.

Follow the step-by-step plan on the eHerkenning website. It will guide you through the main aspects of the application process.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, you should obtain information about eHerkenning in time and you should apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure and in the event of supply chain mandates.

Yes, you can. Suppliers have an expedited procedure in place under which they supply an eHerkenning means often within 24 hours. Please be aware that this usually involves extra costs and specific conditions. See Expedited procedure for more information.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, you should obtain information about eHerkenning in time and you should apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure and in the event of supply chain mandates.

eHerkenning is a public-private partnership. Commercial parties may become authorized eHerkenning suppliers after approval from the accession committee. That is why eHerkenning is offered by multiple commercial parties. Only they are permitted to supply eHerkenning, and they all meet the same requirements that are imposed. This means that security and functional quality are guaranteed.

The authorized suppliers compete with one another in various areas, including the types of eHerkenning means and price. This ensures an efficient market function and allows you to choose your eHerkenning supplier, based on your own criteria.

You yourself decide from which supplier you want to buy an eHerkenning means. The Central Public Administration has recognised all suppliers and they all meet the security and functional requirements. Be sure to consider the following factors when choosing a supplier:

• Costs: you pay costs for every eHerkenning means you purchase. For some means, you also pay costs of use (for text messages, for example). These costs differ for each supplier and for each eHerkenning means.
• Application procedure: you should be aware that the time between registration with the supplier, and receiving the means, differs from one supplier to another. Furthermore, the manner of registration and issuance differs for each eHerkenning means and supplier. For example, for higher levels of assurance, you may even be required to schedule an appointment with the supplier for an identity check.

Use the list of suppliers, which lists all suppliers and all eHerkenning means offered. It allows you to compare the various suppliers per level of assurance, based on the login method of the means, the price per means, the application procedure, and the delivery period.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, you should obtain information about eHerkenning in time and you should apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure and in the event of supply chain mandates.

The delivery period for an eHerkenning means is 0 – a few days on average. This differs for each eHerkenning means and for each supplier. If you have applied for your eHerkenning means and this period has expired, you should contact your supplier.

Please, also be aware that the application for some eHerkenning means includes a requirement to send documents by post. You should complete all forms required with due care, add all documents requested, and send them by post in time.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, you should obtain information about eHerkenning in time, and you should apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application, and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure or in the event of supply chain mandates.

The organization where you log in using eHerkenning, determines the level of assurance (and, consequently, which eHerkenning means you need). For example, you need level EH2 to apply for a permit; you need level EH3 for filing sick and recovery reports for employees.

We cannot decide for you which type of eHerkenning means you should purchase. We recommend that you follow the step-by-step plan.

Yes, you can. You do not need to apply for an eHerkenning means for each organization. You may link the different Chamber of Commerce numbers of your companies to a single eHerkenning means. Please contact your supplier for this.

No, you cannot. An eHerkenning means is personal and therefore cannot be transferred to or shared with other people. This means that eHerkenning and the corresponding mandates are always applied for, per person. This prevents fraud, and gives an organization the certainty that the right employee logs in to do business on the organization’s behalf. This also means, that the person to whom the means has been issued, can be traced in case of an investigation into fraud, or a suspicion of fraud. If an employee leaves the company’s employ, the mandates must be revoked. A new means and mandate(s) must be requested for the new employee. If an employee transfers to a new position, his/her mandate(s) may be adjusted through the management module.

Your supplier will be able to answer any other questions regarding mandates for an eHerkenning means.

If you want to log in with the Tax and Customs Administration or Employee Insurance Agency UWV to handle your old business operation, it is possible to apply for eHerkenning. Your application will then need to go through a different procedure. Please, call the helpdesk of your supplier for more information on this.

Since an eHerkenning means is personal, you are required to state a number of personal details (such as your name) in your application. Which details you are required to state, differs from one supplier to another.

A recognised supplier wants to ascertain that you are the person who will use the eHerkenning means. That is why the supplier will check your personal details using your Legal Identification Document (wettelijk identificatiedocument; WID). This check is required as soon as you apply for an eHerkenning means that matches a certain level of assurance, such as EH2 or EH2+. Sending a copy is not sufficient when you apply for a level 3 eHerkenning means; the WID must then be shown live (e.g., through a webcam) or the user must appear in a face-to-face check while holding the WID.

If you make a copy of your identity document or have it copied, you may take a number of measures to avoid the risk of identity fraud:

• Write on the copy that it is a copy, for whom it is intended and the date on which you issue the copy.
• Cross out the Citizen Service Number (burgerservicenummer; BSN). Public-sector organizations may use the Citizen Service Number to carry out their work. Other organizations may only use this number when they have a legal basis for doing so. These may be, for example, banks or healthcare providers, such as your GP, pharmacy and healthcare insurer. The Citizen Service Number must remain visible for those organizations. Your Citizen Service Number is stated in two places on your identity document: below ‘persoonsnummer’ and in the lines containing letters and numbers at the bottom of your identity document.
• You may shield your photograph or render it invisible.

More information about the WID is available at Rijksoverheid.nl and on the website of the Dutch Data Protection Authority.

eHerkenning is a personal login means, tied to one person. That’s why you have to supply personal data to the authorized suppliers. These are specialized parties that have to comply with the very strict demands and limitations eHerkenning needs. The public administration sees to it that these arrangements are complied with. The Supervisor checks the authorized suppliers for the processing of the personal data that is supplied. The suppliers also have to perform an annual Privacy Self Assessment, about which they have to report to the Supervisor.

The authorized suppliers also have to comply with the General Regulation Data Protection (AVG), which the Authority Personal Data (AP) supervises. Moreover, they are all ISO27001 certified. This is the international standard for information security, where they have to meet the privacy regulation and registration demonstrably. Also, they answer to the European eIDAS-demands. And they use Privacy Enhancing Technology.

On the websites of the authorized suppliers you will find their Privacy Statements, in which they offer a full insight in the processing of your personal data.

Some suppliers ask you to transfer € 0.01 as part of the identity check. Only you personally control that bank account with a valid bank card. The bank details are only compared with the personal details stated.

Yes, self-employed persons also use eHerkenning to purchase business services online from over 400 public and private-sector organizations. Most of these organizations identify companies, including one-man businesses, based on their Chamber of Commerce number. That is why eHerkenning is also used for self-employed persons who want to log in to these organizations.

Self-employed persons may use eHerkenning for all these affiliated public and private-sector organizations if they are registered with the Chamber of Commerce. A self-employed person who has several companies may use a single eHerkenning means. The different Chamber of Commerce numbers can be linked to this eHerkenning means to allow logging in using eHerkenning on behalf of each of these companies.

A number of organizations, such as the Tax and Customs Administration and Employee Insurance Agency UWV, identify one-man businesses based on the Citizen Service Number (BSN). One-man businesses may also use eHerkenning with these organizations, even one-man businesses that are not registered with the Chamber of Commerce. However, they may also use DigiD with these organizations.

Please contact your supplier when you have problems logging in (you have lost your password and/or user name or you receive an error message). Your supplier is your first point of contact.

This differs from one supplier to another. Costs may also be charged for the upgrade. Depending on the level of assurance you desire, your supplier will request additional information and will also perform extra checks.

Please contact your supplier and read more about upgrading.

If you want to use a service as a private individual/citizen, you may use your DigiD to log in. Authentication and authorisation then take place based on your Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you want to log in on behalf of your company, for example to a web service of a government institution, you must log in using eHerkenning. This is linked to your Chamber of Commerce number.

Yes, that is possible. It depends on the type of change. If, for example, your address details change, in principle all you need to do is inform your supplier of the change of address. However, if your company ceases operations or is converted into a different legal form, this can have consequences for your eHerkenning means. This has to do with the identifier, such as a Chamber of Commerce number, that eHerkenning supplies when you log in.

Please contact your supplier in that case.

Yes, churches too can use eHerkenning to purchase online business services online at over 450 (government) organizations. A church or religious community needs to be registered with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) in order to apply for eHerkenning. A religious community is a special type of private organization. Together with the Interkerkelijk Contact in Overheidszaken (interchurchal contact for government business) the authorized suppliers have drafted a special procedure to apply. Please contact your supplier for your application.

You must apply for a mandate if you have an eHerkenning means at level 2 or higher. You are not required to apply for a mandate if you need a level 1 eHerkenning means. 

More information about this is available on the Legal authorisation page.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application, depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, make sure you obtain information about eHerkenning in time, and that you apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please, take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application, and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure, or in the event of supply chain mandates.

If you apply for an eHerkenning means with one of the six authorized suppliers, you indicate on the online registration form for which services you wish to be authorized. Do you want to register or change a mandate later? You may do so using your supplier’s online change form or online management module. More information about this is available on the Legal authorisation page.

Your supplier will be able to answer any other questions regarding mandates for an eHerkenning means. View the overview of contact details of the recognised eHerkenning suppliers.

Please note

You must complete a few important steps when applying for an eHerkenning means. The time needed to process your application depends on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization:

• If you are the director or natural legal person of the applicant organization and you are fully authorized to act on behalf of the organization, the time needed to apply for an eHerkenning means is about 0 – a few days.
• If your organization has a complex management structure (with many and/or jointly authorized directors) or if several Chamber of Commerce numbers are involved for which eHerkenning must be requested, you should take into account a processing time of up to a few weeks in some instances.
• Applications must be correct, complete and accompanied by the right documents and signatures. For example, a requirement for purchasing eHerkenning is that your organization is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When processing EH3 applications, eHerkenning suppliers are obliged to perform all sorts of checks on these details, such as identification and establishing authority. The time needed to process your application, depends partly on the information included in the Commercial Register about your organization.

In short, make sure you obtain information about eHerkenning in time, and that you apply for your personal eHerkenning means in time. Please, take a good look at the step-by-step plan to see what details you need for your application, and contact the supplier in the event of a complex management structure, or in the event of supply chain mandates.

If your organization has a mandate administrator who uses the management module, he/she can see the mandates there. Your supplier will also be able to provide you with an overview.

Go to Legal authorisation for more information.