eHerkenning is a secure and trusted login system that is mandatory for companies operating in the Netherlands. It provides access to over 500 government and semi-government service providers.
The government institution Employee Insurance Agency UWV, Justis, and other government organisations implemented eHerkenning as their standard login method starting November 1, 2019.
More organisations, such as the Tax and Customs Administration in the Netherlands, municipalities, provinces, but also private organisation have implemented this standardised login system.
☰ Table of Contents
What Is eHerkenning?
eHerkenning is a standardised login system in the Netherlands which enables organisations to make their services accessible online and securely to companies, civil servants and consumers. It provides access to over 500 government and semi-government service providers.
Users log in to a web service using their eHerkenning token, which allows them to manage their affairs online. eHerkenning will verify the person who is utilising the service and whether this person is authorised to act on behalf of the company.
The certified suppliers of eHerkenning provide this security at different levels of assurance.
Formerly, Dutch government organisations used a variety of parallel authentication and authorisation solutions. This yielded a multiple set of digital keys and caused poor user experience. The ensuing weak user adoption stunted the growth of eBusiness and eGovernment.
With eHerkenning, each business is issued with a single login token that can be used for various services. Thus, the multiple set of digital keys is replaced with one digital ‘master key’. This will accelerate adoption, since user habits are formed by reusing the same authentication mechanism for various online services.
The Benefits of eHerkenning
The advantages of logging in with eHerkenning include:
- Robust security measures
- A single login token for multiple services
- Reduced need for multiple passwords
- Flexibility in choosing your preferred login method
- Ensured safe login
- Efficiency: Time and cost savings
Connecting to eHerkenning offers benefits such as:
- Managed risk and compliance
- Fraud prevention measures
- Standardisation, resulting in cost savings
- Compatibility for European use
- Assurance of online identity
Costs eHerkenning
Please note that eHerkenning is not provided free of charge. The Dutch government has determined that users are responsible for covering the costs associated with the service providers.
Steps to Setup eHerkenning
Step 1: Identify the legal representative of the Dutch company and the users
The legal representative, registered in the NL Business Register [Kamer van Koophandel (KvK)] of your organisation is only authorised to initially set up eHerkenning.
After the eHerkenning is established, the legal representative can then proceed to grant individual user accounts to other colleagues, such as HR professionals or a third party [Ketenmachtiging].
The duration of the process depends on the registration of your organisation in the Chamber of Commerce. In case the Director is the applicant organisation and fully authorised to act on behalf of the organisation, the process will take less than a week.
If there is a complex managerial structure (with many and/or jointly authorised directors), or if it concerns several Chambers of Commerce for which eHerkenning must be set up, the duration of the process will take longer than a few weeks.
Step 2: Select a supplier
Choose a supplier from the list of six government-approved providers. These are the only authorised entities to offer eHerkenning services. View the supplier list (in Dutch and English) here: Official Supplier List eHerkenning.
Step 3: Select the authorisation level
Follow the personal identification process and the company identification process by the supplier.
The service provider you wish to log in to with eHerkenning, determines the level of assurance required for its online services. UWV requires level EH3 [niveau EH3] and this level is also increasingly being asked by other organisations using this standardised login system.
Please ensure that you list the necessary authorisation level and select the appropriate service access request for each government entity. Specifically, you should select the EH3 level for UWV separately, and another for the Tax and Customs Administration in the Netherlands.
Step 4: Grant access to more users
Log-in via the supplier portal and simply add more users through the existing account; Self-Service Portal (SSP).
If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to us.
Your success is our priority, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today!
More Information
- What is UWV: Employee Insurance Agency Netherlands?
- Sick Leave Netherlands: Mandatory Regulations & Rules.
- FAQs on Dutch Labour Law: Essential Answers Employment Law.
