The use of electronic signature in public procurements

CURRENT REGULATION

The decree of 12 April 2018, relating to electronic signature in public procurement sets the rules relating to the use of electronic signature in public procurements.

Since 1 October 2018, in accordance with this decree, electronic signatures used in public procurements have to be based on a qualified electronic signature certificate under the “eIDAS” Regulation No 910/2014.

The website of the Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance provides complementary information about the use of electronic signature in the specific context of public procurements.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE?

The completion of an advanced electronic signature requires prior an electronic signature certificate. Qualified electronic signature certificates under the “eIDAS” Regulation No 910/2014 are issued by qualified electronic certification service providers.

The list of products and services qualified by ANSSI is accessible at this address: /liste-produits-et-services-qualifies/. Trust service providers issuing qualified electronic signature certificates under the “eIDAS” Regulation No 910/2014 are referenced in the category “Issuance of electronic signature certificate”.

Some of the service providers appearing in the list commercialize their offers:
CertEurope,
Certigna,
Certinomis,
ChamberSign France,
Docusign France,
Universign.

In order to obtain a qualified electronic signature certificate, it is recommended to contact one of these providers.

May I use my electronic signature when performing different functions?

The qualified electronic signature certificate is linked to the natural person who uses it and not to a function. A single certificate can therefore be used to sign various documents on behalf of different entities, in different functions, as long as the issuer of the certificate or the attached entity of the user has not limited the use of the certificate to a particular context (this will be specified, if applicable, in the general terms and conditions).

Find out more about product and services qualification with ANSSI’s security Visa.