What is the difference between eIDAS and ZertES?

eIDAS (EU Regulation No 910/2014) governs electronic signatures in EU member states. ZertES (SR 943.03) is Switzerland's equivalent statute. Both use the same three-tier structure (SES, AES, QES), but they are separate legal frameworks with separate QTSP accreditation bodies. A QES qualified under ZertES Art. 11 is not automatically recognized as qualified under eIDAS Art. 25(2), and vice versa.

Is a Swiss qualified electronic signature valid in the EU?

Not automatically. A QES from a Swiss BAKOM-accredited QTSP carries full legal presumption in Switzerland under ZertES Art. 11, but EU member states apply eIDAS, which requires EUTL listing. For cross-border EU-Switzerland contracts, use a QTSP that holds both ZertES accreditation (BAKOM) and EUTL listing. Swisscom Trust Services is accredited under both frameworks.

Does eIDAS apply in Switzerland?

No. Switzerland is not an EU member state, so eIDAS does not have direct legal effect in Switzerland. Switzerland has ZertES (SR 943.03). The two frameworks are structurally aligned but legally separate. Swiss courts apply ZertES when evaluating electronic signatures under Swiss law.

What is the QTSP requirement under eIDAS vs ZertES?

Under eIDAS, a QTSP must be listed on the EU Trusted List (EUTL) at eidas.ec.europa.eu/efda/tl-browser/. Under ZertES, a QTSP must be accredited by BAKOM under the ZertES Ordinance (VZertES, SR 943.032). A QTSP can hold both accreditations simultaneously.

Does Swiss Trust Layer provide dual eIDAS and ZertES coverage?

Yes. Swiss Trust Layer uses a QTSP that is both EUTL-listed under eIDAS and BAKOM-accredited under ZertES. Documents sealed on the platform carry qualified trust service coverage under both frameworks. Pricing starts at CHF 5 per document.

eIDAS vs ZertES: EU and Swiss Signature Law Explained

eIDAS disciplina le firme elettroniche nell'UE. ZertES in Svizzera. Il riconoscimento reciproco non e automatico.

La Svizzera non e uno Stato membro dell'UE, quindi l'eIDAS non si applica come diritto europeo in Svizzera. La Svizzera ha il proprio statuto: ZertES (RS 943.03). I due quadri sono allineati strutturalmente ma sono strumenti giuridici separati.

I quadri a confronto

Sotto eIDAS: I QTSP sono supervisionati da organismi nazionali negli Stati membri e iscritti nell'elenco di fiducia europeo (EUTL). Una FEQ da qualsiasi QTSP EUTL porta la presunzione legale dell'Art. 25(2) in tutti gli Stati membri.
Sotto ZertES: I QTSP devono essere accreditati da BAKOM ai sensi dell'ordinanza ZertES (RS 943.032). Una FEQ da un QTSP accreditato BAKOM porta la presunzione di ZertES Art. 11 in Svizzera.

Riconoscimento reciproco: il divario

Per i contratti transfrontalieri tra parti svizzere e europee, la soluzione piu sicura e un QTSP con iscrizione EUTL e accreditamento BAKOM. Swisscom Trust Services soddisfa entrambi i requisiti.

eIDAS vs ZertES: come differiscono il diritto europeo e svizzero sulla firma elettronica

I quadri a confronto

Riconoscimento reciproco: il divario