Simplify Compliance With eIDAS‑Supported Electronic Signatures in ShareFile

Across Europe and beyond, organizations are under increasing pressure to modernize document workflows while meeting strict regulatory requirements. To support this need, Progress ShareFile now supports eIDAS electronic signatures, including Advanced Electronic Signatures and Qualified Electronic Signatures.

Organizations can now use ShareFile to execute digital agreements using ShareFile with eIDAS-supported signature capabilities.

AES and QES Signatures
This release extends native ShareFile e-signature functionality to support the highest assurance levels defined by eIDAS, enabling organizations to choose the right eIDAS signature for each use case.

• Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES) An AES signature provides strong signer identification and document integrity. It is well-suited for commercial contracts, customer agreements and internal approvals where identity verification and tamper protection are essential.
• Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) A QES offers the highest level of assurance under eIDAS and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature across the EU and UK. QES signatures require identity verification by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) and are commonly required for highly regulated or cross-border transactions.

By supporting eIDAS electronic signature workflows, ShareFile capabilities allow customers to align signature assurance levels with regulatory requirements—without disrupting workflows.

What Is an eIDAS-Supported Signature?
eIDAS (electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is the regulatory framework that governs electronic signatures across the European Union. Following Brexit, the United Kingdom has retained its own version of eIDAS in UK law (often referred to as “UK eIDAS”), preserving the legal recognition of compliant electronic signatures.

Under both the EU and UK eIDAS, Advanced (AES) and Qualified (QES) electronic signatures help authenticate that:

•  The signer’s identity is properly verified
•  The signed document is protected against tampering
• The signature is legally recognized within the EU and the UK

eIDAS defines three types of electronic signatures—Simple, Advanced and Qualified—with AES and QES representing the highest assurance levels often required by regulated industries and public sector organizations.

Why eIDAS Matters for Modern Businesses
For organizations operating in the EU or UK—or conducting business with EU or UK entities—using an eIDAS-supported electronic signature is mandatory, not optional. Yet many teams still rely on fragmented or standalone tools to meet requirements, leading to:

• Disconnected workflows
• Increased compliance and security risks
• Higher costs and vendor sprawl
• Manual, time-consuming processes

"Digital signatures aren’t optional for us—they’re essential. When customers can’t be onsite in Germany, eIDAS‑compliant signing allows us to move contracts forward securely and compliantly, without delays or location constraints."  
     — York Irmer, Partner and Head of Digital Management, Allington Investors Group

With eIDAS signature support in ShareFile software, customers can:

• Keep sensitive documents within a single secure platform
• Reduce compliance risk and operational complexity
• Accelerate onboarding, approvals and agreement cycles

The ShareFile Difference: Native e-Signature + Secure Collaboration
What sets the ShareFile experience apart isn’t just e-signature support—but how it’s delivered.

Standalone e-signature tools focus on signing in isolation. ShareFile features support eIDAS electronic signature workflows through its native e-signature functionality, within a broader secure collaboration solution designed for regulated industries.

Integrated Native e-Signature Workflows eIDAS signatures are supported through the ShareFile native e-signature experience—allowing users to prepare, send, sign and store documents without disrupting workflows.

Reduced Tool Sprawl and Compliance Risk Documents don’t need to be exported, emailed or reuploaded between systems—reducing shadow IT, insecure workarounds and compliance gaps.

Designed for Regulated Industries ShareFile software supports firms facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, capacity constraints and client expectations for secure, digital-first experiences.

Flexible Signature Assurance Customers can select the appropriate eIDAS signature level based on document type, risk level and regulatory requirements—without retraining users.

Who Benefits Most from This Update?

This enhancement is especially valuable for:

• Organizations operating in the EU and UK
• EMEA-based firms working with EU or UK partners or citizens
• Global and US organizations executing regulated EU or UK transactions

Industries such as financial services, legal, healthcare, government, real estate and pharmaceuticals—where eIDAS QES signatures are often required—stand to benefit the most.

“Having Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) built into the same tool we use for document workflows is incredibly valuable. ShareFile automatically routes signed agreements to the right place, making everything easy to locate. That simplicity is a huge plus.”   
      — York Irmer, Partner and Head of Digital Management, Allington Investors Group