Clifford Chance

This is part three of our series of articles on the UK's Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA Act) - Click on the links to read the other parts.

• Overview
• Framework for smart data schemes
• Changes to UK data protection laws
• Enforcement and regulatory engagement
• Cookies, trackers and security patches
• Other provisions

We have also published a comprehensive PDF bringing all these together in one document for you to read and share.

Digital Verification Services Framework

A new framework for trusted digital verification services

To provide the legislative basis for the Government's ongoing work in building a digital identity ecosystem for the UK, the DUA Act introduces a new regime for DVS. The regime consists of five components:

1. Trust framework: The Secretary of State will, in conjunction with consultations with the Information Commission, prepare and publish a trust framework (rules and standards for the provision of DVS).
2. Supplementary codes: Sets of rules to supplement the trust framework are to be published by the Secretary of State following consultation with the Information Commission and others as appropriate. Different DVS may be subject to different supplementary codes and supplementary codes may come into effect at different times for different purposes.
3. Register: The Secretary of State will establish and maintain a DVS register, listing bodies that provide DVS services, and making it publicly available. To be listed on the register, DVS bodies would need to satisfy certain criteria, including holding a certificate issued by an accredited conformity assessment body.
4. Information gateway: The information gateway will allow public authorities to disclose information to a registered DVS provider for the purpose of digital verification.
5. Trust mark: The Secretary of State will have the power to designate a trust mark to be used only by those organisations on the DVS register.

Relevant to the DVS framework, the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) was recently launched within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The OfDIA will exercise the powers vested in the Secretary of State under the new DVS regime.

The DVS framework aims to facilitate commerce by speeding up the processes by which individuals open accounts with service providers and engage in transactions – such as moving house, undergoing pre-employment checks and buying or accessing age-restricted goods and services – thereby reducing the burden on consumers and businesses.