20th anniversary of legislation, contract lock continues to assist electronic signature compliance and legal application
In 2025, the milestone of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Electronic Signature Law will be reached, and electronic contracts and electronic signatures will be transformed from; Pilot exploration; Implement“ Global coverage usage; Has become a '; Government affairs, finance, healthcare, insurance, education, testing, real estate; The cornerstone of trust for digital construction in various fields. Let's take a look back at the 20-year development milestones of electronic signatures and focus on the new breakthroughs in electronic signature applications across the country in the first quarter of 2025, and welcome the next 20 years of intelligent electronic signing together.
Reviewing the 20-year development milestones of electronic signatures
2005: laying the legal foundation
On April 1
, the Electronic Signature Law was officially implemented, clarifying that electronic signatures and handwritten signatures have equal legal effect, laying the legal foundation for the promotion and use of electronic signatures, electronic signatures, and electronic contracts in China.
2009 Year: Improved supporting policies
3 On December 31st, the "Electronic Authentication Service Management Measures" were officially implemented, and on December 1st, the "Electronic Authentication Service Password Management Measures" were officially implemented.
Further standardize the qualifications and technical requirements of electronic authentication service providers, establish the core position of commercial passwords in authentication, and build a technical trust framework for electronic signatures.
2016 Year: Application of electronic signatures in the field of government affairs
9 On the 29th of this month, the State Council issued the "Notice on Accelerating Recommendation"; Internet plus government services” The "Guiding Opinions on Work" has since opened the path for the application of electronic signatures in the field of government affairs, gradually becoming the technical foundation for digital government construction and online government service.
2018 Year: Judicial Evidence Recognition
9 On July 7, the Supreme People's Court issued theProvisions of the Supreme People's Court on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Cases by Internet Courts. This judicial interpretation for the first time gave legal recognition to the reliable timestamp, blockchain and other solid evidence storage techniques.
2019: Expand the application scope of electronic signatures
4 In the month, the State Council executive meeting passed the draft amendment to the Electronic Signature Law; Allow the use of electronic documents when handling land, housing, and other transfer registrations”. Further expand the application scope of electronic signatures and lay the foundation for the promotion and application of electronic signatures.
2019 Year: Demonstration of Government Service Application
4 On the 11th of the month, the Shanghai Municipal Government's one-stop service platform officially launched the electronic seal public service, starting the national demonstration of electronic signature application for government services.
2019 Year: Clarify the rules for electronic data adjudication
12 On the 26th of the month, the Supreme People's Court issued the Decision of the Supreme People's Court on Amending Several Provisions on Evidence in Folk Customs Litigation, supplementing and improving the provisions on the scope of electronic data, and clarifying the rules for reviewing and judging electronic data.
2020 Year: Formulate national security standards
3 On June 6th, the first national standard for secure electronic signature technology in China was established; — GB/T 38540-2020 "Information Security Technology - Security Electronic Signature Password Technical Specification" has been officially released, filling the gap in China's national standards for electronic signature network security.
2021 Year: Establishing the written form attribute of electronic contracts
7 On January 1st, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued the "Guidelines for the Conclusion of Electronic Labor Contracts", officially promoting the nationwide application of electronic signing of labor contracts.
2021 Year: Promotion of Electronic Signing of Labor Contracts
12 On the 26th of the month, the Supreme People's Court issued the Decision of the Supreme People's Court on Amending Several Provisions on Evidence in Folk Customs Litigation, supplementing and improving the provisions on the scope of electronic data, and clarifying the rules for the examination and judgment of electronic data.
2024 Year: Promote international mutual recognition of electronic signatures
11 On the 29th of this month, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the "Opinions on the Reform, Innovation and Development of Digital Trade", promoting international mutual recognition of digital certificates, electronic signatures, etc., and making cross-border and international development of electronic signatures possible.
2025 Year by year
The application scenarios of electronic signatures across the country are still deepening=“ https://www.qiyuesuo.com/?As a leading electronic signature service provider in the industry, Contract Lock strictly complies with the requirements of laws and regulations such as the Electronic Signature Law and the Civil Code, and continues to provide secure, compliant, and intelligent electronic signing and electronic contract services for governments and medium to large organizations, helping thousands of industries to transform into digital intelligence.
1 January 1st: Office of the National Healthcare Security Administration
《 The Notice on Standardizing the Management of Prescription Distribution for Medical Insurance Drugs stipulates that from January 1, 2025, it shall be equipped with; Dual channel” Designated retail pharmacies for drugs are required to circulate drug prescriptions through the electronic prescription circulation center, and no longer accept paper prescriptions.
1 On the 6th of the month: Six departments including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Cyberspace Administration of China
Notice on Issuing the Implementation Plan for Improving Data Circulation Security Governance and Better Promoting the Marketization and Value of Data Elements,Encourage the use of various methods such as national network identity authentication public servicesto strengthen personal information protection..
1 On the 20th of the month: 8 departments including the Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Jointly released the Notice on Carrying out Pilot Work on Automobile Circulation and Consumption Reform:Promote transaction online signing and electronic contracts, support enterprises to build an integrated online and offline sales and service system for new and used cars..
Explore the implementation of electronic certification for scrapped motor vehicle recycling, providing one-stop services such as online appointment for motor vehicle scrapping, on-site collection, and online printing of recycling certificates.
1 On the 20th of the month: Department of Housing and Urban Rural Development of Hebei Province
Notice on Promoting the Application of Electronic Certificates for the Filing of Construction Crane Machinery: Starting from January 25, 2025, the electronic certificates for the filing of construction crane machinery issued within our province will fully adopt the national unified format, and paper certificates will no longer be issued. After issuing or replacing the national electronic certificate, the original paper certificate will automatically become invalid.
1 On the 24th of the month: Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau of Xihu District, Hangzhou City
Release of the "2024 Report on the Construction of a Rule of Law Government by the Xihu District Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau": Conducting Approval Processing; One Dragon "; Service, on-site guidance before approval, real-time consultation during approval, electronic signature delivery after approval, innovative launch of no drainage violation enterprises; Exemption from review and immediate approval; Service.
2 August 8th: Heilongjiang Province Business Environment Construction Supervision Bureau
Issued the 'Notice on Carrying out'; Efficiently accomplish a task; Notice on the Work Plan for the Reform of the First Batch of Key Matters in 2025: Deepening the Application of Electronic Certificates, Electronic Seals, Electronic Signature, Electronic Archives, Electronic Materials, and Other Applications.
2 On the 18th of the month: Finance Department of Heilongjiang Province
Notice on Issuing the Management Measures for Financial Electronic Bills in Heilongjiang Province: Financial electronic bills use digital information instead of paper documents, and electronic signatures instead of manual signatures. They are transmitted and circulated through network means, stored and stored through electronic carriers such as computers, and stored electronicallyFinancial bills presented in the form of sub data have the same legal effect as paper financial bills.
2 On the 25th of the month: Harbin Development and Reform Commission
Release the '2024 Report on the Construction of a Rule of Law Government':
① In“ Internet plus government services” Focus on work; Not meeting in person; Approval services, vigorously promote the application of electronic seals in the development and reform systems at the city and district (county) levels.
② In the work of public resource trading,promote the application of electronic signature technology in the field of bidding and tendering, by reminding bidders to standardize bidding and tendering signing behavior and promoting the use of electronic signature technology..
2 On the 27th of the month: Zhoushan Education Bureau
《 In the 2024 Annual Report on the Construction of a Rule of Law Government by the Education Bureau of Zhoushan City, it is mentioned that 18 administrative law enforcement inspections will be carried out as planned; Double random, one public; The coverage rate of spot checks, task completion rate, credit rule application rate, publicity rate, handheld law enforcement rate, law enforcement collaborative response rate, and electronic signature usage rate have all reached 100%.
3 February 2nd: General Office of the State Council
The General Office of the State Council on Doing a Good Job in Finance; Five major articles; The Guiding Opinions standardize the application of electronic signature technology in the financial field.Accelerate the digital transformation of financial institutions and enhance their digital business service capabilities.
3 August 8th: General Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government
Notice on Issuing the Comprehensive Reform Plan for the Integration of Digital Government Construction in Shandong Province: Improve the integrated big data platform, standardize the management of video perception and other resources, continuously strengthen the construction of common capabilities such as unified identity authentication, electronic signatures, and electronic licenses, and promote the co construction, sharing, and utilization of various digital resources.
3 On the 10th of the month: Speeches by NPC deputies at the Two Sessions
During the two sessions, NPC deputies; How can small and medium-sized banks better support the development of the private economy; Suggestions for speaking on the topic; Strengthen the deep integration of artificial intelligence technology and business processes, promote the use of online functions such as electronic contracts and electronic signatures, and continuously improve service efficiency and reduce operational risks. Continuously optimize the structure and process of credit allocation. ”
3 September 13: Ministry of Public Security, State Internet Information Office
Jointly released the "Measures for the Security Management of Facial Recognition Technology Applications": Article 11 clearly stipulates that "; For the application of facial recognition technology to verify personal identity and identify specific individuals, it is encouraged to prioritize the use of channels such as the National Population Basic Information Database and the National Network Identity Authentication Public Service to reduce the collection and storage of facial information and protect facial information security;.
March 18th: General Office of Hunan Provincial People's Government
Notice on Issuing the "Key Points for Government Services and Data Work in Hunan Province in 2025": Enhancing the Provincial Integration Platform (including Provincial); One Stop Service” The basic capabilities of the system include building a mobile unified authentication, multi CA certificate, and electronic seal compatible mutual recognition platform, upgrading application open platforms, electronic certificates, unified payments, unified user centers, unified electronic seals, and expanding the SMS platform. Enhance the level of digital government development.
3 On the 24th of the month: State Administration for Market Regulation
Revise the "Supervision and Management Measures for Inspection and Testing Institutions" and mention in Article 12:; Inspection and testing institutions shall affix their official seal, special seal for inspection and testing, or electronic seal that meets legal and regulatory requirements on their inspection and testing reports, which shall be issued by authorized signatories within their authorized scope. ”
3 On the 28th of the month: Transportation Bureau of Fuzhou Municipal Government Affairs Center
Fuzhou has issued the first electronic signature notice for the transfer of operating vehicles in Fujian Province, making the entire process of business processing paperless.
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20 In the year, electronic signatures have grown from legal provisions to digital transformation in government services and enterprise management; Trust Infrastructure; The deepening of the whole society's understanding of electronic signing and electronic contracts continues to promote the use of electronic signatures in more and more industries and businesses.
Contract lock As an industry leader, I am not only a witness to the development of electronic signatures, but also a promoter of the industry, insisting on doing a good job in products and maintaining professionalism, providing compliant, secure, and intelligent electronic signature and electronic contract services for organizations in various industries.
In the future, with the application of intelligent technologies such as AI big models, electronic signatures will achieve more breakthroughs in efficiency, security, and other aspects< span data-style-apply-id="font-family-7db678b2" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Contract lockwill also continue to be“ Technology+Compliance; Dual wheel drive, making every electronic signature a reliable digital link, jointly welcoming the next 20 years of sustainable development in the electronic signature industry.
Common Electronic Signature Knowledge Q&A (FAQ):
Q: What is an electronic signature?
A： Electronic signature is an application of electronic signature technology that utilizes image processing techniques to transform electronic signature operations into visual effects similar to those of stamping paper documents. At the same time, electronic signature technology (digital certificates) is used to ensure the authenticity and integrity of electronic documents, as well as the non repudiation of signatories.
In terms of implementation principle, it refers to the appearance of the seal (signature) attached by the signatory during electronic signing. Before digitally signing the original text, the signatory's seal (signature) appearance is first used to attach it to the original text, forming a new signed original text. Then, hash operation and digital signature are performed to achieve electronic signature with electronic signature appearance.
Q： Can electronic signatures be used in any scenario?
A： At present, electronic signatures can be used in all situations except for the following three situations stipulated in the Electronic Signature Law:
1） Involving personal relationships such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, etc;
2） Involving the cessation of public utility services such as water supply, heating, and gas supply;
3） Other situations where electronic documents are not applicable as stipulated by laws and administrative regulations.
Other documents such as government service documents, labor contracts, certificates, product sales contracts, procurement contracts, bidding documents or transcripts, inquiry letters, testing reports, etc. in enterprise management can be approved at any time< span data-style-apply-id="font-family-7db678b2" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Contract lockPlatform for effective signing.
Q： Will electronic contracts be tampered with? How to verify?
A： Reliable electronic contracts are guaranteed to be tamper proof through technologies such as digital certificates, blockchain storage, and timestamps. If a contract signed through the Contract Lock Electronic Signature System is modified, the system will prompt“ The contract is invalid; Waiting for warnings, and users can upload the electronic contract to the contract lock evidence chain platform for one second verification at any time.
Q： Can documents signed with electronic signatures have their contents modified?
A： It cannot be modified, nor can it be modified through technical means. The reason is that electronic signatures essentially encrypt the content of a document through an irreversible encryption algorithm, generating a special digital string called a digital signature. This string is immutable and can be used to verify the integrity and authenticity of the document.
If the content of the file is changed, it will cause the signature to be mismatched, thereby violating the legality and integrity of the original signature of the file, resulting in the signed file being invalid. Therefore, technically, electronically signed documents cannot be modified.
Q： Are electronic contracts the same in nature as electronic contracts?
A： The two cannot be confused. Electronic contract is a data message protocol established through electronic signature technology (such as PDF contracts signed online), which integrates digital certificates and data storage technologies and has complete legal effect; Electronic contracts are scanned copies or electronic copies of paper contracts (such as photographed and archived paper contracts), which have weaker legal effect and are difficult to prove.
Q： Is the picture seal an electronic signature?
A： no Electronic signature is a technology that integrates digital certificates, trusted timestamps, encryption algorithms, and other technologies according to the requirements of the Electronic Signature Law. It attaches the seal or signature of the signatory to the original text, and has tamper proof and non repudiation properties. And the image seal is only a signature graphic, which may be forged through methods such as cutout or photo editing, and has no legal effect.
The contract lock electronic signature platform strictly complies with the requirements of the Electronic Signature Law, the Civil Code, etc., and is supported by authoritative CA digital certificates. It can provide technologies such as signatory identity verification, file encryption transmission, file authenticity verification, and intelligent watermarking to ensure the security, compliance, and legal effectiveness of electronic signatures and seals.
Q： What are the features of a secure and compliant electronic signature platform?
A： Only electronic signature products required by the Electronic Signature Law have legal effect and can be accepted, so it is necessary to choose a secure and compliant electronic signature platform for electronic signing. Taking the contract lock electronic signature platform as an example, it can be mainly judged from the following aspects:
· Legal compliance: supports reliable electronic signatures (can provide real name authentication, tamper proof, timestamp and other technologies);
· Security technology: adopting CA authentication, blockchain certificate storage, national secret algorithms (such as SM2/SM3) and other technologies to ensure data security;
· Industry certification: Possessing industry authoritative certificates such as "Commercial Password Product Certification Certificate", Level 3 security, ISO27001, etc.
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