Identrus says the new 'Rule Set 3.1' will enable participants to enter new markets and offer new business applications.

Support for the EU Digital Signature Directive will enable participants to issue certificates that are accepted by EU local government programmes and financial institutions, while the support for XML-based signatures enables greater encryption capabilities.

Karen Wendel, CEO, Identrus, says: "Participants rely upon us to review emerging standards, test for interoperability, and incorporate the fundamentals into the Identrus Rule Set."

Andy Ross, director of Internet and e-commerce at Royal Bank of Scotland, adds: "The new features of the Identrus Rule Set increase the scope and number of parties with which we can conduct business electronically, ultimately extending even greater choice to our domestic and international customer base."