Electronic signature is placed on the same footing as autograph

The law about electronic signature has come into force. From now the electronic signature is equated with the autograph.

Electronic signature represents the file, used for identification of the personality (either natural or legal), certifying this or that information and any person may get such signature though the mechanism of its acquisition isn’t yet approved. Besides, it isn’t yet determined will this procedure be chargeable or not.

The key certificate for checking the electronic signature will confirm the belonging of the signature to its owner and the certifying centers, accredited by the state (also either natural or legal persons) are authorized to distribute such certificates. In the course of time one will be able to certify any electronic documentation.

“The citizens of the country will feel the main effect of this novelty and the use of electronic signature will allow them to address themselves to various official channels for getting applications and services in electronic form, using online resources and the official state portals RB” – the Minister of communication and mass communications RB Boris Melkoedov tells – “In accordance with the Russian law “Electronic digital signature” from 2002, acting till July 1, 2012, the state certifying center RB has already distributed more than 8500 keys of electronic digital signature for the needs of the authority, Republican organizations and institutions. The new law is called to make the procedure of electronic digital signature use simpler and that will favorably affect the increase of the electronic document circulation volumes”.

As the Minister reported, in the nearest future the certifying center RB within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of communication and mass communications RB will be registered and included into the common system of Russian certifying centers.