D3.6: Study on ID Documents

Title: ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Electronic Signatures

A basic introduction of the European Directive 99/93/EU on electronic signatures, the technology and cryptography behind electronic signatures and possible privacy and security problems are given in the FIDIS Deliverable 3.2 “Study on PKI and Biometrics” (Gasson, Meints, Warwick 2005) in chapter 3. 

An important aspect is that although based on the European Directive 99/93/EU the implementation of electronic signatures in Europe shows a large variety. So far no consensus has been reached as to which technological implementation can be used to reach one of four levels of electronic signatures (simple, advanced, qualified and accredited signatures) as defined in the European Electronic Signature Directive. In addition there is no consensus, for which kind of administrative procedures what kind of signature is needed.

Many European Countries have introduced signature schemes that do not necessarily need a smart card and a type III card reader (for example Lithuania, Austria, Finland). In these cases alternatively the signing procedure can be carried out using a mobile phone or even a USB stick (for example in Austria). In these cases we speak of a procedural signature solution. These signature solutions are not restricted to ID documents. Other countries such as Belgium and Germany tend to use signature cards and type III card readers for electronic signing in most e-government processes. In these cases we speak of a card-bound signature solution.