Electronic archiving (signature, evidentiary value)
Definition
The three pillars of evidential archiving :
• Integrity : the archived document cannot be modified — any alteration is detectable and invalidates the proof. Guaranteed by cryptographic hashing of the document at archiving and periodic verification of this hash.
• Durability : the document remains readable in 10, 20 or 50 years, independently of software evolution. This requires standardized formats (PDF/A for content, PAdES B-LTA for signature) and migration of media at regular intervals.
• Traceability : any operation on the archived document (consultation, communication, deletion) is recorded in a time-stamped and tamper-proof event log.
Regulatory framework : in France, evidential archiving is governed by the standards NF Z42-013 (French standard, AFNOR) and the international standard ISO 14641. For the public sector and certain regulated activities (healthcare, financial services), approval by SIAF (Interministerial Service of French Archives) or certification by a qualified third-party archiver are required. The eIDAS 2.0 regulation introduces a new qualified trust service dedicated to qualified electronic archiving, recognized as of right throughout the EU.
Legal retention period in France:
• Commercial contracts and invoices: 10 years (Commercial Code art. L123-22)
• Employment contracts: 5 years after employee departure
• Tax documents: 6 years (Book of Tax Procedures art. L102 B)
• Notarial deeds: 75 years (Notarial Code)
• Medical documents: 20 years after the last act (Public Health Code)
Certyneo implementation : all signed documents are archived in PAdES B-LT format (B-LTA available on Business plan for storage > 10 years), with qualified RFC 3161 time-stamping, 10-year retention included in all plans, event log viewable at any time, and download of the audit trail in PDF format. See also evidential value and LTV (Long-Term Validation). Complete guide to electronic archiving with evidential value →
Frequently asked questions
What is electronic archiving?
Electronic archiving is the long-term preservation of signed digital documents under conditions that guarantee their probative value, readability and integrity over time. Unlike simple storage, evidential archiving relies on cryptographic fingerprints, standardised formats (PDF/A, PAdES B-LTA) and a tamper-evident event log.
What is the difference between electronic archiving and a backup?
A backup protects against data loss: it is overwritten, restored and deleted as operations require, and proves nothing. Evidential electronic archiving protects against dispute: the document is frozen, its integrity is verifiable at any time, every access is logged, and the archive survives software changes for 10 years or more. You need both — they answer different risks.
What is qualified electronic archiving under eIDAS 2.0?
eIDAS 2.0 (Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, article 45f) introduces qualified electronic archiving as a new trust service: documents archived by a qualified provider benefit from a presumption of integrity and origin recognised across the EU. It complements the qualified signature — QES proves who signed, qualified archiving proves the document has not changed since.
Related guides
Related terms
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