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Certyneo
Advanced signature (AES) compliant with eIDAS

Sign a consumer credit offer online

Personal loan contracts, earmarked credit, lease with purchase option — legally valid advanced signature (AES), RFC 3161 timestamp, complete audit trail. Compliant with Consumer Code and eIDAS.

Legal framework
Consumer Code (art. L312-1 et seq.), art. 1366 Civil Code, eIDAS (EU Regulation 910/2014)
Signature level
AES eIDAS recommended
Legal archiving
10 years with probative value (eIDAS audit trail)

What is an electronic signature for a credit contract?

An advanced signature (AES) is an electronically recognized process in France and Europe for signing consumer credit offers. It binds lender and individual borrower through a legally valid, timestamped and verifiable legal act. Unlike paper signature, it generates a traceable proof PDF with complete audit trail and RFC 3161 timestamp, satisfying the obligations of the Consumer Code and eIDAS Regulation.

Why sign a consumer credit online?

Speed and seamlessness

Sign in minutes without travel. The borrower receives their proof PDF immediately after timestamping.

Enhanced legal security

RFC 3161 timestamp, immutable audit trail and proof PDF. No risk of lost or misplaced documents.

Consumer Code compliance

14-day withdrawal period (art. L312-19) and standardised European pre-contractual information sheet (FIPEN, art. L312-12): the signed PDF and its audit trail date each step, for earmarked credits, personal loans and leases with purchase option (LOA).

Reduced costs and ecology

Zero paper, zero postal shipping. Secure EU archiving. Hosting in the European Union (IONOS). Substantial savings for lenders and borrowers.

4-step procedure

From contract preparation to legally timestamped signature

  1. 1. Preparation of the credit offer

    The lender prepares the credit offer (personal loan, tied credit, LOA lease) with its pricing conditions, the withdrawal period and the legal notices required by the Consumer Code, the FIPEN having been provided beforehand.

  2. 2. Secure transmission to the borrower

    Timestamped signature link generated and sent via email or SMS. Borrower accesses the contract via secure portal. Audit trail starts immediately.

  3. 3. Advanced electronic signature (AES)

    The borrower signs with an advanced signature: one-time code (OTP) by SMS and a signing key generated in their browser. An RFC 3161 timestamp is requested from an external service; if it is not obtained, the proof certificate says so. Proof PDF generated in real time.

  4. 4. Legal archiving and audit trail

    Timestamped PDF stored in EU hosting (IONOS ). Complete audit trail downloadable. Both parties receive immutable and legally valid proof.

Frequently asked questions — Consumer credit signature

Is electronic signature legal for a consumer credit contract?
Yes, entirely. Article 1366 of the Civil Code recognizes the validity of electronic writing. Advanced signature (AES) satisfies the eIDAS Regulation and the requirements of the Consumer Code (art. L312-1 et seq.).
What is the withdrawal period after electronic signature of a credit?
14 calendar days from the signature (art. L312-19 of the Consumer Code). The borrower may withdraw without charge or penalty within this period. Certyneo generates the timestamped proof of signature, establishing the start of the withdrawal period.
How does RFC 3161 timestamping work in the signature?
RFC 3161 timestamping applies a date and time attested by a third-party timestamping authority. It is requested at each signature; when it cannot be obtained, the proof certificate flags it. Any modification of the PDF after signature is detectable, and the audit trail remains valid.
Can a personal loan, tied credit and lease be signed online?
Yes. These three contracts fall under the Consumer Code (art. L312-1 et seq.). The lender attaches the FIPEN and the legal notices specific to each type; the advanced signature (AES) is the same for all three.
What does the audit trail contain and how do I access it?
The audit trail records: creation date/time, sending, opening, timestamped signature, signing IP, PDF fingerprint, certificate. Downloadable directly from the Certyneo portal in real time or retrospectively.
Where are signed contracts archived?
Secure EU hosting (IONOS) compliant with GDPR and eIDAS. The signed PDF and its proof certificate are kept for 10 years by default, with an adjustable duration. Secure access via authentication for lender and borrower.
Is the FIPEN (standardised European pre-contractual information sheet) mandatory?
Yes, for all consumer credit (personal loan, tied credit, LOA car lease): article L312-12 of the Consumer Code requires the lender to provide it to the borrower before the contract is concluded. The lender can attach it to the Certyneo envelope; providing it remains the lender's responsibility.
Can Certyneo be used between professional lender and individual borrower?
Yes. Certyneo is designed for B2C contracts (professional lender → individual borrower). Advanced signature (AES) and audit trail are suitable for the asymmetric relationships of the Consumer Code.

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