“Measures for the Administration of Electronic Seals” has been implemented since October 9, 2025
The implementation of the “Electronic Signature Law” in 2004 has provided a legal basis for the legal effect of electronic signatures. With the development of information technology, an increasing number of enterprises have adopted electronic seals out of consideration for paperless operations and convenient transmission. To standardize the use and administration of electronic seals, the State Council issued the “Measures for the Administration of Electronic Seals” on October 9, 2025, which is implemented on the same day. Hereinbelow, we will introduce some provisions related to companies’ daily business.
- Entities for Applying for and Producing Electronic Seals
Article 12 of the “Measures” stipulates that electronic seals involved in e-government affairs shall be provided by legally established e-government electronic certification service institutions, while other electronic seals shall be provided by legally established electronic certification service institutions. Therefore, for enterprises, if electronic seals are used to handle business related to administrative departments such as market supervision and administration bureaus, customs and so on, the electronic seals shall be certified by the corresponding e-government electronic certification service institutions.
- Rules for the Use of Electronic Seals
Article 17 stipulates that an enterprise shall file the electronic seals with the electronic seal production and management entity. In addition, if there is a change in status such as suspension or resumption of the use of electronic seals, the enterprise shall promptly file the change with the electronic seal production and management entity.
Article 18 stipulates that if an enterprise undergoes circumstances such as name change, dissolution, revocation, revocation of license, bankruptcy, division, or merger, it shall promptly apply to the electronic seal production and management entity for cancellation of its electronic seals. If the enterprise fails to apply for cancellation or is unable to promptly apply for cancellation of its electronic seals, the electronic seal issuance department shall put forward opinions on cancellation, and the electronic seal production and management entity shall conduct filing for the cancellation of the relevant electronic seals.
Article 21 stipulates that the administration of the uses of electronic seals shall adhere to the principle of “who owns it, who controls it; who affixes the seal, who is responsible”. Enterprises shall formulate relevant rules and regulations to properly keep and manage the use of electronic seals.