What is a qualified electronic timestamp?

A qualified electronic timestamp is a time record issued by an accredited trust service provider (QTSP) that meets the technical and legal requirements defined in eIDAS Art. 42 (for EU member states) or ZertES Art. 11 (for Switzerland). It cryptographically binds the date and time to your document using SHA-256, signed by the QTSP's certified time source. Unlike ordinary file timestamps, a qualified electronic timestamp cannot be retroactively altered without detection, and it carries a legal presumption of accuracy that courts are required to accept unless disproved.

How does a qualified timestamp reverse the burden of proof?

Under eIDAS Art. 41(2), a qualified electronic timestamp enjoys a 'legal presumption of accuracy.' This means that in any legal dispute about when a document was created, the court presumes the timestamp is correct. The party challenging the date must prove the QTSP's certified time source was wrong or the cryptographic system was compromised. Before a qualified timestamp, the creator must prove the creation date. After a qualified timestamp, the challenger must disprove a certified record. That is the burden reversal.

Does ZertES provide the same legal protection as eIDAS?

Yes, for proceedings in Switzerland. eIDAS applies in EU member states; ZertES (SR 943.03) applies in Switzerland. Article 11 of ZertES establishes an equivalent legal presumption of accuracy for timestamps issued by BAKOM-accredited certification service providers (ZDA). The Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirmed in BGE 144 III 97 (2018) that ZertES-qualified timestamps carry automatic court admissibility in Switzerland. Swiss Trust Layer, through Swisscom Trust Services, satisfies both frameworks simultaneously, as Swisscom is both a BAKOM-accredited ZDA and an eIDAS QTSP on the EU Trust List.

What is RFC 3161 and why does it matter?

RFC 3161 is the Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Time-Stamp Protocol, published by the IETF. It defines how a qualified electronic timestamp is technically created: a cryptographic hash (SHA-256 or stronger) of your document is computed and submitted to the QTSP's time stamping authority, which returns a digitally signed token binding the hash to a UTC-synchronized time. Any modification to the document after timestamping produces a different hash that no longer matches the certificate, making alteration immediately detectable. RFC 3161 is the implementation standard used to satisfy eIDAS Art. 42(1) requirements.

What types of files can receive a qualified timestamp?

Any digital file can receive a qualified timestamp: contracts, design files, source code, images, audio recordings, videos, PDFs, spreadsheets, presentations, and any other file format. Swiss Trust Layer accepts any format. Only the SHA-256 hash of the file is processed; the file content is never uploaded or stored on Swiss Trust Layer servers. You retain full control of the original file. The certificate records the hash, the certified timestamp, the QTSP issuer chain, and your account identity.

Legal

什么是合格电子时间戳以及它为何反转举证责任

Philipp Stuppnik · Legal Compliance Specialist

2026年7月11日 7 分钟阅读最后更新 2026年8月26日

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In short

合格电子时间戳依据eIDAS第41(2)条和ZertES第11条享有准确性的法定推定。举证责任由质疑日期的一方承担，而非由创作者证明。

合格电子时间戳依据eIDAS第41(2)条和ZertES第11条享有准确性的法定推定。普通时间戳(文件元数据、电子邮件、云平台)可被更改，在法庭上不具有法定推定效力。由经认证QTSP颁发的合格时间戳要求法院推定记录日期正确，质疑方必须证明认证机构有误。eIDAS第42(1)条规定四项技术条件，通过RFC 3161实现。瑞士ZertES(SR 943.03)第11条提供同等框架，经BGE 144 III 97(2018)联邦法院确认。Swiss Trust Layer通过Swisscom Trust Services颁发合格时间戳，该机构同时是ZertES下的BAKOM认证ZDA和eIDAS欧盟信任名单上的QTSP。使用知识产权风险计算器评估您的文件风险。

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