We have a digitization solution that is not exactly new, but which, due to the habit of using paper and pen, has not yet been widely adopted, despite the many advantages – the electronic signature. We have specific legislation at national and European level – but legislative regulations cannot be so easily "translated" and understood by everyone. Which is why we have so many questions, interpretations and opinions about the electronic signature and its use. Do we have answers?
YES! For the first time in Romania, certSIGN launches a Guide to good practices and legal issues regarding the use of electronic signatures in organizations, a digital document available free of charge for all individuals and legal entities, public or private.
WHAT?
In the Guide to good practices and legal issues regarding the use of electronic signatures in organizations you will find specific clarifications on:
• the types of electronic signature that can be used in an organization (electronic signature, advanced electronic signature, qualified electronic signature) and the differences between them, starting from national and European regulations (EU eIDAS Regulation no. 910/2014);
• ways to electronically sign documents – electronic signature formats, obligations of organizations in relation to them, types of electronic signatures when there are several signatories, recommendations on the electronic signature policy, PDF and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC format, electronic documents and approval / signing flows management systems, remote signature;
• ways to verify electronic signatures – legislative requirements, verification of qualified vs. advanced signatures, recommendations for organizations that decide to request documents in electronic form, electronically signed;
• the legal value of electronically signed documents – the legal effects of electronic signatures, scenarios regarding the use of the electronic signature and its legal effect, the invocation in court of an electronic signature.
WHY?
The last few months have made us understand that digitization is no longer a simple option, but the direction we need to calibrate. From legislative changes, to changes in the style of business, to all the questions that have arisen regarding the use of electronic signatures – we have reached not only a conclusion, but also a solution. Information is needed, unitary answers are needed, informed advice is needed. That is why we come to the support of the Romanian business environment with this Guide for the use of electronic signatures in organizations.
Why us? Because we do not rely on opinions, but on a wide national and international experience – both in the development and implementation of solutions in the field of trust services and electronic signature (in 20 countries, including 15 EU Member States), and in the standardization in this area (presence in the ETSI technical committee that manages standards on electronic signature and trusted services, participation in electronic signature interoperability tests, member of the Cloud Signature Consortium).
In addition, the team that contributed to this guide has over 20 years of experience in cryptography, trusted services and standardization.