Exploring e-signature legality
in Lebanon with Zoho Sign

The shift to e-signatures in modern business

In the wake of digital transformation, sending electronic documents online has become a common practice. Often, these documents require signatures as proof of the agreement. This is achieved with the help of electronic signatures. They provide an efficient way to sign documents online, reduce paperwork, and enable more streamlined transactions.

In addition to easing the process, e-signatures help protect documents with their enhanced security and authentication techniques. They outweigh handwritten signatures in various aspects, with security being the most significant. As a result, e-signatures are gaining popularity with businesses worldwide, helping them meet their objectives efficiently.

Speeding up Lebanese business in the digital age

E-signatures are transforming how business gets done in Lebanon. Before e-signatures, everything relied on face-to-face meetings, mountains of paperwork, and slow administrative processes, all of which could hold things up for ages. Now, Lebanese companies can sign, verify, and share documents instantly, no matter where anyone is. This is a game-changer, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that often struggle with complex administrative tasks.

This move towards e-signatures also aligns perfectly with Lebanon's wider digital government strategy. The Ministry of Finance has been leading the charge, integrating e-signature systems into public sector processes. This makes it much easier for citizens and businesses to submit official documents and complete transactions online.

Zoho Sign, a powerful digital signature solution, can be the ideal choice for seamless, paperless transactions. With its secure and intuitive interface, Zoho Sign provides businesses with a range of advantages, including:

• Speed
• Productivity
• Authentication
• Security
• Remote access
• Improved user experience
• Cost-effectiveness

Digital signing across Lebanon's key sectors

E-signatures are reshaping business practices across the following sectors:

• Banking and Finance
• Healthcare
• Education
• Real Estate
• Retail and ecommerce
• Government and public sector
• Transportation
• Manufacturing and supply chain

Legal status of electronic signatures under Lebanese law

Electronic Signatures hold the same legal validity as traditional handwritten signatures, provided that the signer can be identified, and the signature is properly stored and maintained to ensure its integrity.

The electronic signature is created through a secure method that verifies the identity of the signer, confirming its legitimacy for the specific transaction.

If the signature follows the security measures established by an authorised authentication service provider, it is assumed to be trustworthy and satisfy the requirements for an electronic signature as outlined in the law.

However, if the signature is generated or managed using an authentication method from an unauthorised service provider, a judge may assess its evidentiary value on a case-by-case basis, unless the parties involved have mutually agreed to a different standard.

Certifying authority

Under the ETL, an Authentication Service Provider is defined as a public or private entity responsible for issuing authentication certificates. This process involves implementing security measures to protect one or more functions specified in Article 15 of the law.

The Lebanese Accreditation Council (COLIBAC) acts as the root certification authority, overseeing and accrediting authentication service providers. These providers issue Electronic Signature Certificates while ensuring compliance with the secure method requirements mandated by law. Any decisions made by COLIBAC regarding the enforcement of this law can be challenged before the State Council.

Electronic seal

The law defines an Electronic Seal as a digital representation of a seal, either as data or an image, that is connected or logically associated with other electronic data to verify its origin.

Achieving e-signature compliance in Lebanon with Zoho Sign

Zoho Sign enables Lebanese businesses to boost efficiency and remain competitive in the digital era while ensuring compliance. Here's how:

• Identification and reliability:

  Zoho Sign employs strong authentication techniques, such as OTP authentication and PKI-based digital signatures using digital certificates, to ensure the e-signature identifies the signatory.

• Intention of the signatory:

  This can be collectively projected by the contents of the electronic documents (like terms in an agreement), audit trail, and completion certificate.

• Control over the data being signed:

  Only the signatory is allowed to review the document before signing and provide choices to make changes or reject the document if necessary.

• Enhanced security:

  Zoho Sign employs robust encryption protocols, such as the military grade AES-256 encryption at rest and the TLS/SSL protocol in transit, to ensure that the data transmission between the signing platform and the data being signed is secure. This prevents documents and data exposure in the case of data breaches.

• Detectable alterations:

  Zoho Sign ensures any alterations to the electronic signature or the document to which the signature is affixed are detectable through an elaborate audit trail of all activities during the signing process. This audit trail comprises critical information, such as the identity of the signatory, the timestamp of the signature, and changes made to the document.

Resources

• The Electronic Transactions and Data of a Personal Nature Law No. 81/2018
• Lebanese Accreditation Law No. 572 dated February 11, 2004