About Concord’s Electronic Signature Validity

E-signature Compliance

How Concord ensures signature legality around the world

For more than 15 years, electronic signatures have been fully valid and legally binding in most countries around the world. They are now used by individuals, companies, and governments alike to increase the speed and security of their transactions.

Used for document signatures in more than 110 countries around the world, Concord’s technology and e-signature system have been designed to meet the key requirements of all major regulations in the world, such as the U.S. Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000 (ESIGN), the U.S. Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), and the Electronic Identification Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (referred to as “eIDAS”).

Signature Authentication

How Concord helps you prove exactly who signed what

One of the principal strengths of an electronic signature is its ability to precisely verify and prove the signer’s identity, compared to a handwritten signature where forgery is hard to prove.

To help you identify who is signing your documents, Concord combines the broadest range of authentication methods on the market, including: verified email addresses, IP addresses, Mac addresses, technical information from the devices used for signature, sms/email signature confirmation codes, social IDs, SSO, and other third party IDs, as well as Concord’s account IDs.

Document Integrity

How Concord protects you against tampering

Unlike manually signed paper documents that can easily be modified, Concord’s electronically signed documents are virtually impossible to alter.

During and after the signature process, Concord time-stamps each document and seals it using the U.S. Federal Information Processing Standard Sha-1 Secure Hash Algorithm. This process enables you to verify your document’s integrity at anytime with the certainty that it has not been compromised.

Court-admissible Evidence

How Concord assists you in court

By creating a comprehensive audit trail gathering all access instances, actions, and signatures of each participant to a document, Concord provides you with all the evidence necessary to defend your documents against repudiation in court.

Document Security

How concord protects your documents

Exceeding the strictest U.S., European, and global security standards, Concord provides bank-level security to every user, including: full ssl 256-bit encryption, iso 27001-certified and SSAE 16-certified (soc 1 and soc 2) servers, and periodic security audits performed by renowned security experts.

Data Privacy

How Concord protects your data

Only you and your authorized users have access to your documents. No one else, not even Concord’s employees, can access your documents. Your data is not shared with or sold to anyone. You can even choose the country where your data should be stored.

Data Reversibility

How Concord ensures your data remains your data

Your data is your data. Period. With Concord, you can download contract originals and export their metadata at any time. And if you decide to close your account, you get all of your data back, as committed to in our terms and conditions.

---

Frequently asked questions

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding in many countries, provided that they meet the necessary requirements under applicable laws, such as the ESIGN Act in the U.S. or the eIDAS Regulation in the EU.

What is the difference between electronic and digital signatures?

An electronic signature is any electronic method of indicating agreement. A digital signature is a specific type that uses encryption to verify the authenticity and integrity of a signed document.

Are Concord’s electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes. Concord’s e-signatures comply with the ESIGN Act, UETA, and eIDAS regulations, making them legally binding in most jurisdictions.

Do I need a certificate to sign electronically?

In most cases, no certificate is required for standard electronic signatures. However, a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) does require a digital certificate issued by a recognized authority.

What is the difference between AES and QES under eIDAS?

An Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) provides signer authentication and document integrity. A Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) offers the highest level of trust, using a qualified digital certificate and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature across the EU.

When is a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) required?

QES is typically required for transactions like:

• Real estate transfers
• Consumer credit agreements (e.g., in Germany)
• Certain notarial acts (e.g., in France)

When is an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) sufficient?

AES is suitable for:

• Internal HR agreements
• Vendor contracts
• Procurement documents
• Low to medium risk transactions

Are e-signatures valid internationally?

Yes, electronic signatures are widely recognized globally. However, laws vary, and some jurisdictions may require specific formats (e.g., QES in the EU, ICP-Brasil in Brazil).

Are Concord signatures compliant with UETA, ESIGN, and eIDAS?

Yes. Concord ensures compliance with:

• UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) — U.S.
• ESIGN Act — U.S.
• eIDAS Regulation — European Union

Can I use Concord for contracts in other countries?

Absolutely. Concord’s platform supports compliance globally. It is important to verify specific requirements for certain regulated sectors or specific transaction types.

What documents typically require a QES or higher standard?

Examples include:

• Financial service agreements
• Court submissions
• High-value real estate deals
• Public procurement contracts