Legal Framework and Recognition
Digital signatures are legally recognized and enforceable in many jurisdictions around the world, thanks to various laws and regulations that have been enacted to provide a legal framework for their use. Key legislation includes:
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN):
In the United States, the ESIGN Act provides that electronic signatures and records have the same legal effect as their paper counterparts, ensuring that digital signatures are legally binding.
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA):
UETA, adopted by most U.S. states, establishes the legal validity of electronic signatures and records in commercial and governmental transactions.
The European Union’s eIDAS Regulation:
In the European Union, the eIDAS Regulation sets standards for electronic identification and trust services, including digital signatures, ensuring they are recognized and accepted across all member states.
Other International Standards:
Many other countries have their own laws and regulations recognizing the validity of digital signatures, often aligned with international standards such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).