Thursday, November 28, 2007, ANRCTI launched for public consultation the draft decision on the procedure of accrediting the providers of electronic signature certification services. The draft decision establishes the procedure of granting, suspending and withdrawing the decision for the accreditation of the providers of electronic signature certification services, as well as the content, the validity period and the effects of suspending or withdrawing the decision. The providers of electronic signature certification services issue digital certificates that authenticate electronic signatures.

According to the provisions of this draft decision, ANRCTI will assess the providers’ compliance with the accreditation conditions, following an audit conducted by a qualified auditor. The draft decision establishes the auditor qualification procedure, which is based on the conditions set out by ANRCTI. Upon reception of the qualification documents from the auditors, ANRCTI shall communicate the list of qualified auditors to the potential providers of certification services, who may choose a company in this list for conducting the required audit. The costs of the accreditation audit shall be born by the respective provider.

The draft document amends the procedure of granting the decision for the accreditation of the providers of electronic signature certification services, following the entry into force, from May 2007, of the Government Decision no.415/2007 on the approval of the Regulation for the organisation and functioning of the National Regulatory Authority for Communications and Information Technology, according to which ANRCTI shall accomplish the attributions of a regulatory and monitoring authority in the field of electronic signature, as provided by the Law no.455/2001 on the electronic signature, taking them over from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The ANRCTI accreditation is not mandatory, being granted to the providers of electronic signature certification services upon request. The ANRCTI accreditation represents an additional certification of the fact that a provider guarantees the security of operations. An accredited provider of electronic signature certification services has the right to distinctly mention its capacity as an ANRCTI accredited provider.

The draft decision is available for consultation on ANRCTI website. The interested persons are invited to send their comments and suggestions by December 28, 2007 to the ANRCTI headquarters (14 Libertatii Blvd., sector 5, Bucharest) or directly to the ANRCTI registration office, as well as to its territorial offices from the closest county capital city. The comments may be sent as well by fax to +40 21 307 54 02 or by e-mail to consultare@anrcti.ro.