Does an electronic signature have legal value in the European Union?
The eIDAS Regulation
The eIDAS regulation sets out the rules for the legal use and recognition of electronic signature certificate issuance services in the Member States of the European Union. A trusted service provider must comply with these regulations.
The European Commission identifies and lists by country the qualified trust service providers recognized throughout Europe.
The eIDAS Regulation also establishes the principle of non-discrimination. The legal admissibility of a signature cannot, therefore, be refused on the grounds that it is in electronic format. Any electronic signature made through a trusted service certified by a European Union country, therefore, has evidential value within the whole European Union.
Application in European Union member states
Each state member of the European Union has transposed the eIDAS regulation into its own law.
Every country has a leading body in the field of electronic signature. It identifies and monitors trusted service providers to ensure their compliance with the eIDAS Regulation. It is also in charge of the qualification of trusted service providers, which are then recognized at the European level.
Which documents should I sign electronically in the European Union?
Documents and use cases of electronic signatures
Employment contracts, commercial agreements, property leases, etc.: most of the documents can be signed electronically in the European Union. The electronic signature applies to all professions and sectors of activity.
Exceptions
Be careful, some countries’ legislation restricts the use of electronic signatures to some categories of documents. It’s important to research and become aware of the local policies about esignature in your country. Yousign can help you in this process.
Legal value of Yousign electronic signatures
Certification authority
Certification authority
Yousign issues its own certificates in accordance with the eIDAS regulation, making it a recognised certification authority (CA) in Europe. This level allows Yousign to provide more secure electronic signatures using digital certificates.
Trusted third parties
Trusted third parties
Yousign is a player in digital trust that protects both its customers and users, the data and documents exchanged, and accepts legal liability for the services offered.
Yousign is included in the European Commission's global list of qualified trust service providers.
ETSI certification
ETSI certification
Yousign has ETSI certification for electronic signatures, electronic seals, and time stamps.
View our ETSI compliance certificates:
Certificate for electronic signature
Qualified certificate for electronic signature
Certificate for electronic seal
Qualified certificate for electronic seal
Qualified Time Stamp
eIDAS qualification
eIDAS qualification
Yousign meets the requirements of the European eIDAS regulation.
View our eIDAS qualifications:
Qualified certificate for electronic signature
Qualified certificate for electronic seal
Qualified Time Stamp
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