The eIDAS(Electronic Identification and Trust Services) regulation, in force since 2016, establishes a common legal framework for electronic signatures and trust services within the European Union. Its aim is to guarantee the security and validity of digital transactions.

In this context, it is essential to know how to check the conformity of an electronic signature using the tool provided by the European Commission.

>> Towards the European Commission’s‘Digital Signature Service‘ tool <<

1. The three levels of electronic signature under eIDAS

  • Simple electronic signature: suitable for low-value exchanges, it does not rely on advanced security mechanisms.

  • Advanced electronic signature: this is uniquely linked to the signatory, enables identification and must be created via a secure device.

  • Qualified electronic signature: the highest level, based on a qualified certificate issued by an approved trust service provider.

2. The European Commission’s ‘Digital Signature Service’ tool

The Commission provides an online platform for checking the validity and conformity of electronic signatures.

Checking steps :

  1. Access the platform: visit the official validation tool at https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/DSS/webapp-demo/validation

  2. Import document: load the signed file you wish to analyze.

  3. Automatic analysis: the tool checks document integrity, certificate validity and compliance with eIDAS requirements.

  4. View report: by default, the ‘Simple Report’ is displayed, which already provides a range of technical information on the certificate(s) and timestamp. You also have the option of displaying the ‘Detailed Report’ if you wish to view the highest level of analysis detail.

  5. Print/Download report: you can also print or download the desired report as a pdf file, useful if you wish to share this information.

3. Why check eIDAS compliance?

  • Legal security: ensuring legal recognition of signed documents.

  • User confidence: strengthening the credibility of electronic transactions.

  • Compliance with regulatory obligations: avoid any risk of non-compliance or sanctions.

Conclusion

eIDAS verification of electronic signatures is a key step in securing digital exchanges. Thanks to the free tool offered by the European Commission, this operation is simple and accessible. By integrating it into your processes, you can guarantee the legal validity of your documents and promote confidence in your online transactions.

>> Towards the European Commission’s‘Digital Signature Service‘ tool <<