Rules for Digital Signatures in Sweden
In Sweden, the rules for digital signatures are established in the Electronic Signature Act (2000:832), which implements the EU's eIDAS Regulation (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services). Here are some of the key points:
- Validity: In Sweden, electronic signatures are recognized in the same way as handwritten signatures, as long as they meet certain requirements for authenticity and integrity.
- Trust levels: The eIDAS Regulation divides electronic signatures into three levels of trust: "simple," "advanced," and "qualified." A qualified electronic signature has the highest legal validity and requires a digital certificate issued by a trusted provider.
- Trusted service providers: In Sweden, trusted service providers (TSPs) are administered by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). These providers issue digital certificates and ensure that they meet security standards and the requirements of the eIDAS Regulation.
- Special requirements for qualified signatures: For an electronic signature to be qualified, it must be unique to the signer, be reliably linked to them, and enable identification of the signer. This can be achieved using a cryptographic key that is only accessible to the signer.
Compared to the Danish rules on digital signatures, there are some similarities and differences. Both Sweden and Denmark follow the general guidelines in the eIDAS Regulation, but there may be minor variations in how the laws are implemented and administered by the national authorities. Details such as the certificate issuance process, requirements for digital keys, and the approval of trusted service providers may vary between the two countries. It is always important to investigate the specific legal requirements and guidelines in the relevant country when working with digital signatures. You can easily send documents for signature to Sweden with ePact. By using our SMS function, you can easily send the documents out for signature across national borders.
