Signing documents and completing transactions across borders has become part of everyday business for many companies. When it comes to qualified electronic signatures, however, it is important to consider the legal framework under which they are issued.

As confirmed by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) in a recent update, there is currently no agreement on the mutual recognition of electronic signatures between Switzerland and the European Union.

In practical terms, a qualified electronic signature that complies with the EU’s eIDAS Regulation is not automatically equivalent to a qualified electronic signature under the Swiss ZertES framework, and vice versa.

For companies operating in both Switzerland and the European Union, it is important to be able to choose the appropriate standard for the relevant context. DeepSign supports signing in accordance with either ZertES or eIDAS, allowing companies to use the regulatory framework required depending on the document, the parties involved and the relevant scope of application.

Find out more: discover the differences between ZertES and eIDAS for Swiss companies and which standard to choose depending on the context.

An agreement is under discussion, but it will take time

Switzerland and the European Union are already working towards the possible mutual recognition of electronic signatures. Discussions are ongoing, but according to OFCOM itself, an agreement is unlikely to be reached by the end of 2026.

Until then, ZertES and eIDAS will continue to operate as two separate frameworks. Companies handling documents and transactions between Switzerland and the EU will therefore need to choose the appropriate standard for the relevant context.

Not just signing: verification matters too

The same attention is required when receiving a document that has already been signed. It is not enough to know that it contains an electronic signature: it is important to be able to verify whether the signature is valid and under which legal framework it was issued.

DeepValidator enables qualified electronic signatures and seals to be verified in accordance with ZertES and eIDAS, regardless of the provider used. For Swiss companies, the service also makes it possible to verify, based on official data from the Commercial Register, whether the person who signed the document has the corresponding signing authority.

At a time when Switzerland and the European Union continue to maintain separate systems, being able to choose the correct standard when signing and accurately verify documents received helps make digital processes clearer and more secure.