The Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is a highly secure method of signing digital documents that provides the highest level of security.
Defined at the European level, the QES is regulated by the eIDAS Regulation, which establishes the legal and technical requirements for electronic identification and authentication across the member states of the European Union. Moreover, QES requires a more rigorous identification process for signatories than other types of electronic signatures.
In Switzerland, the QES is governed by the Electronic Signature Act (ZertES) and is legally recognized as equivalent to a handwritten signature in many scenarios, such as concluding contracts, submitting tax returns, or sending legal documents. Nevertheless, not all documents can be signed with a QES, as some documents still require a handwritten signature or the presence of witnesses.
The main benefits of a QES signature include legal validity, security, convenience, and time and money savings. A QES has the same legal value as a handwritten signature, ensuring the document’s legal validity. A qualified electronic signature utilizes a digital certificate from an accredited certification body to guarantee the signatory’s identity and the signed document’s integrity, providing a much higher level of security than simple electronic signatures. Qualified electronic signatures enable quick and efficient document signing without the need to print, sign, and scan paper documents, allowing for remote signing from anywhere. By avoiding the costs associated with printing, mailing, and archiving paper documents, companies can achieve significant time and cost savings.
In summary, QES is a highly secure and reliable solution for signing digital documents in Switzerland. However, its adoption may require specific hardware devices and additional security procedures, which can pose challenges for some companies or users.
And what are the differences with a normal signature?
Simple signature and qualified electronic signature are two types of digital signatures that differ in terms of their security and legal validity.
The simple signature is a digital signature that can be affixed electronically, such as by scanning a handwritten signature or using electronic signature software. Unlike the qualified electronic signature, the simple signature does not require a certificate and does not provide any guarantee regarding the origin of the signatory or the integrity of the signed document. As a result, the simple signature does not have the same legal value as a handwritten signature.
On the other hand, a qualified electronic signature is a digital signature that uses a digital certificate issued by an accredited certification body. This type of signature provides strong authentication of the signatory’s identity, guarantees the integrity of the signed document, and has the same legal value as a handwritten signature. In Switzerland, the qualified electronic signature is regulated by the Electronic Signature Act (SCSE) and the Electronic Signature Regulation (SCSEV).
In summary, the main difference between the simple signature and the qualified electronic signature in Switzerland is that the latter offers greater security and legal validity than the former. While the simple signature can be used for signing less critical documents, the qualified electronic signature is recommended for signing documents of particular importance or legal value.
DeepSign
DeepSign is a cutting-edge service provided by DeepCloud AG, a company that specializes in cloud computing and artificial intelligence solutions. With DeepSign, the company has developed an application that harnesses technology to create secure and verifiable digital signatures. One of the key features of DeepSign is its use of qualified electronic signatures (QES). This advanced mode of electronic signature provides a high level of assurance regarding the identity of the signer and the integrity of the signed document. QES is based on the use of a qualified certificate issued by an accredited certification service provider, making it a secure digital signature with legal basis according to the EU regulation eIDAS and the Swiss federal law ZertES. QES has a very high probative value and liability, and is equivalent to a handwritten signature according to the law.
DeepSign allows digital signatures to be created for a wide range of documents, including contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and even company incorporation documents. These digital signatures can be used to verify the authenticity and integrity of documents and can be easily shared between interested parties.
One of the major benefits of DeepSign is its ease of use. The application has been designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, enabling users to create, sign and verify documents quickly without the need for specialized technical skills. DeepSign also supports a wide range of documents and is compatible with many document management platforms and productivity software, making it a highly versatile tool.
Another key advantage of DeepSign is its secure sharing capabilities. Digital signatures created with DeepSign can be easily shared between stakeholders, streamlining the management of digital documents and simplifying collaboration between teams and organizations.
In Switzerland, the use of innovative technologies such as DeepSign can significantly simplify and speed up the process of incorporating or modifying a company. With the ability to sign documents online and without the need for in-person presence, DeepSign offers a convenient and efficient solution for businesses operating in Switzerland and beyond.
Overall, DeepSign is a highly advanced and secure application that offers a range of benefits to businesses and individuals seeking a reliable and efficient solution for digital signatures and document management.
Hoop & the QES
Hoop is a platform for incorporating companies in Switzerland and changing companies at the Registry of Commerce through a 100% digital process in record time. Hoop incredibly benefits from DeepSign’s QES signatures as it allows clients to sign documents digitally, incredibly speeding up the incorporation or mutation process, avoiding wasting time meeting in person with notaries and other company members.
This blog article does not constitute legal advice, it is made available “as is” and makes no claim to completeness or accuracy. Hoop makes no warranty or liability as to its content. This is excluded to the extent permitted by law. Use is at your own risk. Legal advice is recommended if necessary.
