Legally binding documents and, in particular, documents within the scope of administrative procedures (decrees, decisions, permits, etc.) as well as agreements and contracts transmitted to addressees outside the Federal Administration should be provided with qualified electronic signatures, unless otherwise specified for a specific business process at the level of an ordinance.

Signature requirements of the general secretariats and the administrative units must be adjusted for electronic documents to determine which type of signature (qualified electronic signature, advanced electronic signature with the employee's class B signature certificate, regulated electronic seal) is to be used for which type of document. In addition to any rules applicable to the administrative units under special legislation, the provisions set out in Art. 49 of the Government and Administration Organisation Act (GAOA), Art. 22c and 29 of the Government and Administration Organisation Ordinance (GAOO), and Art. 37, 37a, 37b, 39, 65, 65a of the Financial Budget Ordinance (FBO) must also be observed. For procurement contracts, any recommendations by the Federal Procurement Commission (FPC) apply which may provide for exceptions from the obligation to use qualified signatures.

According to the ECAPO, the electronic seals introduced in 2017 must be used to electronically sign receipts of transmission platforms and decisions under the mass procedure.

E018