Digitization reform: the electronic signature becomes easy to use, legally recognized and available for several types of documents
After years of waiting, the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism is liberalizing electronic signature and trust services, making them more accessible to citizens and companies.
Electronic signature PHOTO: Shutterstock
The immediate priority of the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT) is insurance “predictability in the market and the elimination of bureaucratic blockages that have delayed the application of the law, as well as the assumption of an accelerated calendar for issuing the necessary normative acts”.
According to the ministry, the institution is concerned with permanently updating the legal framework in relation to the dynamics of the adoption of implementing acts at the European level, so that the security requirements imposed in the field of electronic signature use are respected.
“In the immediate next period, as an emergency, we are considering the harmonization of national legislation in order to be in agreement with the European eIDAS2 regulation”announces the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT).
The decision comes as a result of the constant dialogue with the representatives of the private sector and the consultations held at the Government, together with the Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu.
“Through this order, we put an end to a much too long waiting period and finally unlock Romania's digital potential. The liberalization of the electronic signature is a reform that we have assumed as a priority. With this order, we truly liberalize the electronic signature, both for suppliers and for citizens. The most important benefit is that Romanians will be able to sign many more types of documents using the advanced signature. The next steps are clearly assumed: we will amend the law to align with eIDAS 2.0 and we will adjust the subsequent rules so that the rules are simple, clear and easy to apply in practice. This is the only way we offer people the freedom to interact digitally with the state and the private environment.” said Irineu Darău, Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism.
The Ministry of Economy, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism announces the entry into force of a new essential regulatory package for Romania's digital architecture, which approves the authorization, supervision and control procedures of trusted service providers.
This ministerial order, published today, February 2, in the Official Gazette, operationalizes the provisions of Law no. 214/2024, establishing a competitive and transparent framework that allows the liberalization of the profile market and facilitates citizens' access to electronic authentication tools with full legal value.
“Through this administrative step, clear rules are established for all economic operators who intend to provide qualified and unqualified trust services. The new procedures eliminate technical and administrative barriers by simplifying the registration process in the Registry of Trust Service Providers, thus stimulating competition and technological innovation”. states the Ministry of Economy.
From the citizen's perspective, the new regulatory framework guarantees the simplification of interaction with public institutions and the private environment through the extended recognition of electronic signatures. The order regulates the mechanisms for validating electronically signed documents, thus providing increased legal certainty for both individual users and their contractual partners.
At the same time, the normative act integrates modern remote identification solutions, allowing electronic signatures to be obtained without physical presence, the process being governed by technical standards designed to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of personal data.
“A fundamental component of the order is the structuring of the supervision and control activity. Through these measures, the Ministry of Economy, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism aims to create a reliable digital ecosystem, in which bureaucratic barriers are replaced by automated and secure procedures. This institutional reform transforms the electronic signature from a specialized technical tool into a daily utility, widely accessible, thus supporting the competitiveness of the Romanian economy in the single European digital market”. it is also shown in the press release.
This order was published today, February 2, in the Official Gazette of Romania and will enter into force within 60 days.
