An electronic signature safety seal, jointly developed by the China E-commerce Association and the Material Evidence Validation Center of the Ministry of Public Security, was formally launched this week.

The new system consists of two parts: e-seal and an e-signature. The system encrypts Chinese business seals and prints according to the embedded standards while binding them with a digital certificate issued by the relevant departments. Then the system combines them in a key whose code is authorized by the State Password Office. The e-seal and e-signature can be used so long as the key is connected with a computer.

Currently, China International Travel Service, China International Economic Consulting Company, and Shanghai Zhongtai Industry Company have adopted the system to sign contracts with overseas businesses.

The system is believed to be the first step towards realization of the e-signature law which will be implemented starting April 1, 2005.