Article 19

What it means when you sign

This article sets the conditions for an electronic signature or electronic seal to be considered reliable. It must be linked to the signatory and be under the signatory's full and exclusive control. It must be capable of identifying the signatory. It must be linked to the signed data in such a way that any alteration to that data can be detected. It must be created using technical and security techniques that follow the technical requirements set by the executive regulations. Any other conditions set by the executive regulations also apply.

In plain terms, a signature or seal is reliable only when it is tied to one person who controls it, shows who signed, reveals later changes to the signed content, and is built with the required technology.

When you are about to sign electronically, this article means a clause that requires a reliable electronic signature or seal refers to these conditions. A signing method that anyone else can use, that does not identify the signer, or that does not show whether the document was changed afterwards, may not meet them. A contract that names the signing method it accepts is worth checking against this list.