In an increasingly digital world, signing a contract, quote, or purchase order online has become an absolute necessity. But one question always comes up: does an electronic signature have the same value as a handwritten signature? Let's review the legislation and best practices.
What do European and French laws say?
Since July 1, 2016, the eIDAS regulation has governed the use of electronic signatures throughout the European Union. It clearly states that an electronic signature cannot be refused in court solely on the grounds that it is in digital form. In France, Article 1367 of the Civil Code reinforces this principle: a digital document has the same evidential value as a paper document.
The different levels of signatures
There are three security levels:
- Simple signature: This is the one you use every day. A scan of your signature or a drawn trace with a mouse, stamped on the PDF. It is legal and largely sufficient for 90% of professional documents (quotes, expense reports, standard employment contracts).
- Advanced signature: It includes an identity authentication system for the signatory (identity document verification).
- Qualified signature: This requires a physical cryptographic key (a secure USB key) and is often reserved for notarized acts or public contracts.
How does the PDFOhlala signature tool work?
To meet your needs for speed, PDFOhlala offers a simple and intuitive signature tool. You can:
- Draw your signature directly using your mouse or touchscreen.
- Import an image of a signature you have previously scanned (PNG or JPG files supported).
Why adopt electronic signatures?
Beyond legal validity, the time saved is monumental. No more infernal cycle: Print > Sign > Scan > Send. In just a few clicks on PDFOhlala, your document is signed, secure, and ready to be shared.
Ready to save time? Try our free signature tool today!