{"id":5041,"date":"2024-11-20T12:16:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T11:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evidency.io\/difference-cachet-electronique-et-signature-electronique-securiser-vos-documents\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T17:21:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:21:55","slug":"difference-electronic-seal-and-electronic-signature-to-secure-your-documents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evidency.io\/en\/difference-electronic-seal-and-electronic-signature-to-secure-your-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference between Electronic Seal and Electronic Signature: which one to secure your documents?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electronic Signature: engaging an individual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The European eIDAS regulation[1] defines an electronic signature as a set of \u201cdata in electronic form which are attached to or logically associated with other data in electronic form and which the signatory uses to sign.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with a quick reminder about electronic signatures. Much like a handwritten signature, an electronic signature seeks to obtain the consent and approval of a signatory (a natural person)<\/strong> regarding the content of a document. By signing a contract electronically, the individual agrees to its terms and commits to adhering to them. This is a significant act that legally binds the signer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, when someone electronically signs a document (after being authenticated), a digital certificate is associated with their signature. This certificate acts as a \u201cdigital ID card,\u201d confirming the signer\u2019s identity at a specific moment in time<\/strong>. Once signed, the document is sealed and cannot be altered without detection, ensuring the integrity of the signed document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Electronic seal: the organisation\u2019s digital stamp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The electronic seal<\/a>, also referred to as a digital seal, can be summarised as the digital equivalent of a company\u2019s stamp<\/strong> or an official seal used by an administration. When an organisation (such as a company, local authority, or association) applies its electronic seal to a document (e.g., invoices, certificates, diplomas), it certifies the document\u2019s origin and integrity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a physical stamp, an electronic seal<\/a> can be applied by an authorised employee of the organisation. However, the key difference from an electronic signature is that it binds the responsibility of the organisation (a legal entity)<\/strong>, not the individual employee (a natural person) applying it. Furthermore, while a signature must always be manually completed by the signer, an electronic seal can be applied automatically by an organisation\u2019s information system<\/strong>, without human intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common legal framework for electronic seals and signatures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From a legal perspective, electronic seals and signatures carry the same weight and are governed by the same regulation: the European eIDAS regulation[1]. This regulation defines three levels of reliability for both electronic signatures and seals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n