Electronic signature: Extension of the duration of data access
Once a certificate that guarantees the validity of an electronic signature has expired, the information about this invalidation must remain available online for at least eleven years in future. The Federal Council has approved a corresponding revision of the Ordinance on Electronic Signatures.
In order to sign a document electronically, people or companies need a certificate that confirms their identity. The validity period of the certificate is specified when it is issued. If the certificate is revoked before this period expires, the information on its invalidation will no longer be available online after the end of its validity. In future, providers of certification services must ensure that this information is accessible online for eleven years after the expiry of their own certificate.
On August 20, 2025, the Federal Council decided to include corresponding new provisions in the Ordinance on Certification Services in the Field of Electronic Signatures and Other Applications of Digital Certificates (Ordinance on Electronic Signatures, VZertES). This means that automated signature verification services such as the validator provided by the Confederation (validator.ch) will have access to information on the revocation of certificates for a significantly longer period of time.
The new provisions also clarify the rules for the accreditation of recognition bodies with reference to the applicable standards and specifications. In view of the complexity of the implementation, the bodies have until February 1, 2026 to adapt their processes; the revised VZertES will enter into force on November 1, 2025.
These measures make the use of electronic signatures more reliable and easier for companies and private individuals.
Source: Federal Office of Communications OFCOM
