Title
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures (MLES)
Dates of the instrument
Signature: 05 July 2001
Entry into force*: --
Summary
The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures (MLES) aims to enable and facilitate electronic signature usage by establishing technical reliability criteria for equivalence between electronic and handwritten signatures. The Model Law helps states create modern, harmonized legal frameworks that address electronic signature treatment and provide certainty about their legal status. The Model Law establishes a comprehensive framework for electronic signatures by providing both technical standards and legal guidelines while ensuring flexibility in implementation. It helps create certainty around electronic signature usage while promoting international harmonization of digital authentication practices.
Key paperless trade provisions include:
- Technical criteria for electronic-handwritten signature equivalence
- Basic rules of conduct for signature processes
- Guidelines for duties and liabilities of signatories
- Standards for relying party obligations
- Requirements for trusted third parties
- Electronic signature validation procedures
- Digital authentication protocols
- Legal recognition frameworks
- Technological neutrality principles
- Cross-border recognition standards
Website(s)
Relevant document(s)
Geographical coverage
Global
Legal nature
Model Laws/Legal standards
Trade processes
Transport Processes
Border and Regulatory Processes
Trade documents
Bill of Lading (BoL)
Sea Waybill (SW)
Air Waybill (AW)
Sea Cargo Manifest (SCM)
Air Cargo Manifest (ACM)
Rail Consignment Note (CIM)
Road Consignment Note (CMR)
Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
Customs Declaration (CD)
Phytosanitary certificate (ePhyto)
Contact point
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
uncitral@un.org
Contact point
* For a model law – entry into force of the law enacting a model law; for a treaty–entry into force