Digital transformation offers enormous advantages, but are also important challenges for both organizations and the user. Fortunately, we have tools that make things easier for us. Among others, electronic signatures and seals are key elements to achieve greater security and efficiency in the transactions carried out in the digital universe.
In this article we will give you the main keys to know them better, as well as the differences between Electronic Stamps and electronic signatures. A knowledge that will be useful to you when operating in a reliable way when making online transactions.
To legally contextualize the subject at hand means to check the regulatory standard for eIDAS, Regulation 910/2014 related to electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market, in force since July 2014.
Thanks to which they are more secure and transparent within the European Union, so the legal value of the signature and electronic stamps is reinforced.
Let’s remember that the objective of eIDAS is to foster development of digital uses in the community area, within the social and economic objectives set by the strategy Europe 2020, the EU agenda for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the current decade.
One of the most important uses contemplated by the regulations is signing documents. In fact, eIDAS facilitates the use of electronic signature and seal in Europe, standardizing the legal framework of this technology. In practice, it is about streamlining the transactions allowing their implementation in the digital environment with all guarantees.
Types and differences between Electronic Stamps and electronic signatures
The electronic signature is a broad concept that includes different technical systems, whose function is to allow the identification of the signer of an electronic document, without specifying an undoubted guarantee of the personality of it.
eIDAS Regulation, provides full technical and legal guarantees any documentation electronically signed in the EU. Specifically, it defines three types of electronic signature, whose ultimate objective is to standardize the way in which the signing of a document in the European area is made.
In its article 3, it establishes that the “electronic signature” is the one that refers to “the data in electronic format annexed to other electronic data or logically associated with them that the signer uses to sign”.
For its part, among other requirements described in article 26, “advanced electronic signature” must be linked to the signatory in a unique way. As well as allowing the identification of the signer or being linked with the signed data so that any subsequent modifications can be detected.
Thirdly, “qualified electronic signature”, formerly “recognized electronic signature”, is an advanced electronic signature based on an electronic signature qualification certificate, which requires a qualified device.
eIDAS also provides a legal framework for the electronic seal. An electronic signature system that allows legal persons and corporations to authenticate an automated administrative action, according to Law 39/2015 of October 1 of the Common Administrative Procedure of the Public Administrations of the citizens electronic access to Public Services.
They are stamps based on an electronic certificate according with the requirements requested by the legislation established in the eIDAS. In terms of its typology, these regulations define three types of electronic stamps.
The regulation, in particular, recognizes: the “electronic stamp”, the “advanced electronic stamp” and the “qualified electronic stamp”. While the first one is intended for a legal person, the advanced stamp must meet the same requirements as advanced electronic signature. Finally, created by a qualified device, qualified electronic stamps are based on a qualified electronic stamp certificate.
Great advantages for doing business
It is difficult to exaggerate the advantages associated with secure telematics communication, both in the internal and in the Community market. Above all, with this new legal framework that supports it. Tremendously committed to the achievement of the digital single market.
Not surprisingly, the new legal framework based on eIDAS is a great boost to the use of electronic signature and stamp in order to standardize transactions, making them safer and, making the Community market a more transparent environment that benefits Citizens and organizations.
Among other positive aspects, accountability is guaranteed; waiting times, paperwork and paperwork are reduced through a greater control of online transactions of different kinds, whether private individuals, organizations or public institutions intervene.
Therefore, doing business is also much easier by using tools regulated by these community regulations, such as electronic signatures and stamps.
Taking advantage of these important benefits is a matter of business survival in a highly competitive environment, each time more internationalized. And not only for survival, but also for improvement, as currently making good use of new technologies is one of the keys to success.
Although operating online with guarantees assumes less costs and a parallel increase in profits, it is also true that we must follow the steps in the right way to enjoy all these benefits.
Ultimately, doing so depends on an automated implementation that centralizes processes, ideally designed to the needs. Let us note here the importance of having the qualification eIDAS requires its realization through a reliable service provider, as it is a certifying authority. Among other responsibilities, it is following the guidelines established by the eIDAS.
Only in this way it is possible to guarantee its legal effects. Therefore, transactions will have the same legality as paper transactions. Helping us to streamline processes at the community level. As the current regulation ends the fragmentation of the national digital markets, while the procedures are simpler, more reliable and costs are reduced.