Opportunities for engineering materials certificates Sample Clauses

Opportunities for engineering materials certificates. The electronic signature as defined by the European Directive is clearly an advantage in the exchange of test certificates:  It de facto replaces the hand-written signature and removes the need for paper-based processes and storage.  It provides an additional value by authenticating the originator and by proving the integrity of the document. Benefits are generated by the reduction in time and resources to process the test certificates together with better reliability. It is possible to have more than one electronic signature; the various signatures can be at the same level (several signatories) or at different levels, if a signatory countersigns the certificate. In cases where the signatory is located outside of the European Union, the Directive does not apply. It is therefore advised that the signatory uses a certificate and a key pair issued by a qualified EU CSP. Despite the Directive, the situation in the European Union for electronic signatures is inconsistent. Different national implementations of the Directive have led to cross-border interoperability problems and some solutions are not usable in all countries. It is recommended to verify the usability in the partner’s country before choosing a system. At the time of publishing this report, a new regulation is being drafted by the European Commission to address these problems. It will encompass e-Identity and electronic signature.