Digitisation in Switzerland

Many Swiss companies are in the middle of the digital transformation. An important component in this is the legally secure electronic signature, which is finding increasing support and users in the business environment. But what do companies in Switzerland have to consider? Which documents can be signed electronically in Switzerland and what types of signatures are there?

The following article summarises the most important principles for legally secure use of the e-signatures in Switzerland.

What is the legal basis for a legally secure electronic signature?

Until a few years ago, it was common practice to sign a purchase contract, a new job contract or an agreement on paper. With the ever-increasing spread and use of electronic options, legal frameworks have been created to enable clarity and legal certainty.

In Switzerland, the ZertES  (Federal Act on Electronic Signatures in Switzerland) has formed the legal basis for the use of electronic signatures since 2017.

The ZertES includes, among other things:

how certification services can be recognised.
the rights and obligations of recognised certification services.
the technical setup to ensure a high level of safety.
terminology around electronic signatures and their meaning, including the different types of electronic signatures.
how the law supports the recognition of electronic signatures in international agreements.

Since 2016, the legal framework for electronic signatures in the European Union has been governed by the eIDAS Regulation . This forms the basis for the ZertES introduced in Switzerland.

In a direct comparison, there are many similarities between ZertES and eIDAS. Both aim to consolidate and promote the acceptance of electronic signatures by means of regulation in their respective spheres of influence, Switzerland and the EU.

Free white paper “General conditions in Switzerland”

Besides the similarities, however, there are also a number of differences. Download our free white paper and learn more about the different interpretations in both regulations. (in German)

Overview of signature types according to ZertES

When is an electronic signature equivalent to a handwritten signature on paper? And which document needs which signature type?

Four types of signature are recognised in the federal law ZertES.

Electronic signature

Simple, but barely provable
Can be any form of electronic message that can be attributed to a natural person, such as a scanned signature
Not relevant for most business processes
Use: Informal documents

Advanced electronic signature

Provable signature
Most used type of legally binding signature
Usable for most contract types
Use: Contracts without a formal requirement

Regulated electronic signature

Only available in Switzerland
Too inconvenient for most business processes
Additional hardware is required

Qualified electronic signature

«The qualified electronic signature linked with a qualified time stamp pursuant to the Federal Act of 18 March 2016 on Electronic Signatures is equivalent to the handwritten signature.» Code of Obligations (CO) Art. 14 para. 2 to

Provable signature with the highest security level
Equal to a handwritten signature on paper
Required certificate is created via certification services
Use: Contracts with statutory formal requirements

Elektronische Signatur

Einfach, aber kaum beweisbar
Kann jede Form einer elektronischen Nachricht sein, die einer natürlichen Person zuzuordnen ist, wie eine eingescannte Unterschrift
Für die meisten Geschäftsprozesse nicht relevant
Anwendung: Informelle Dokumente

Fortgeschrittene elektronische Signatur

Beweisbare Unterschrift
Meistgenutzte Art der rechtssicheren Unterschrift
Nutzbar für die meisten Vertragsarten
Anwendung: Verträge ohne Formvorschrift

Geregelte elektronische Signatur

Gibt es nur in der Schweiz
Für die meisten Geschäftsprozesse zu umständlich
Zusätzliche Hardware wird benötigt

Qualifizierte elektronische Signatur

«Der eigenhändigen Unterschrift gleichgestellt ist die mit einem qualifizierten Zeitstempel verbundene qualifizierte elektronische Signatur gemäss Bundesgesetz vom 18. März 2016 über die elektronische Signatur.»

Obligationenrecht (OR) Art. 14 Abs. 2 bis

Beweisbare Unterschrift mit der höchsten Sicherheitsstufe
Gleichgestellt mit der eigenhändigen Unterschrift auf Papier
Erforderliches Zertifikat wird über Zertifizierungsdienste erstellt
Anwendung: Verträge mit gesetzlichen Formvorschriften

Grundsätzlich erleichtert die eSignatur die Arbeitsprozesse in Unternehmen.
In Zusammenarbeit mit einem anerkannten Anbieter können Unterschriftsprozesse rechtsverbindlich und mit deutlich geringerem Aufwand abgewickelt werden. Lediglich Verträge, die notariell beurkundet werden müssen, bilden hierbei eine Ausnahme.
Für alle anderen Fällen gibt es die passende eSignatur mit dem jeweils benötigten Grad an Beweisbarkeit.

In principle, the e-signature makes work processes in companies easier. In cooperation with a recognised provider, signature processes can be handled in a legally binding manner and with significantly less effort. The only exception are contracts that require notarisation.

For all other cases, there is a suitable e-signature with the required degree of verifiability.

Swisscom Trust Services and inSign

For contracts requiring a written form, the law requires an electronic signature in accordance with QES. A qualified certificate is required for a legally valid QES, which is equivalent to the handwritten form of signature.

This certificate is offered by inSign via Swisscom Trust Services. Swisscom Trust Services belongs to the list of all recognised certification services in Switzerland.

Cross-border contracts with QES

For cross-border contracts between the EU and Switzerland, it may be necessary for all contracting parties to sign both with a certificate according to ZertES and a second time with a certificate according to eIDAS . With inSign, this is possible without any problems, as qualified signatures according to ZertES and eIDAS can be used simultaneously in one document.

Contact/consultation

inSign offers legally secure electronic signatures for Switzerland and the entire EU area. Would you like to use electronic signatures in your company in a legally secure way and not only save money, but also massively accelerate your signature processes at the same time? Then get in touch with our inSign team now.

About the author

Ursula Korotwitschka – Marketing Specialist

Ursula has been working for many years on all aspects of electronic signatures and how smart software can make everyday work easier.