The documentation for building permits may also be submitted in full electronic format, signed with a qualified extended electronic signature. This will help reduce bureaucracy and support construction investment projects.
At the end of last week, a new Emergency Ordinance was published, which regulates the submission of documents in electronic format, signed with qualified extended electronic signature (extended electronic signature based on a qualified certificate), in order to facilitate the authorization procedures in the field of construction, architecture and town planning works.
Thus, the procedure for submitting documentation in order to obtain approvals, agreements, permits and authorizations, is facilitated, as an alternative to submitting them in letter form (on paper) with handwritten signature, stamp and initials.
The New Ordinance expressly stipulates that the documents submitted in electronic format have the same legal force as those submitted in letter format (on paper).
The qualified extended electronic signature can be applied by architects, energy auditors, technical experts, specialists with right of signature in landscaping and town planning, site managers, engineers or technical managers with the execution, and it takes the place of both handwritten signature and individual stamp.
The same provisions apply to individuals in fields related to construction, architecture and town planning who develop studies, analysis, research and projects.
The public authorities that issue permits, agreements, town planning certificates or building permits are required to receive the documents in electronic format, signed with a qualified extended electronic signature. This will indicate the professional quality, the qualification title, the unique identifier, as well as other specific elements.
As mentioned in a recent article on electronic signatures and the main aspects that need to be known, electronic signatures can bring major advantages in terms of efficiency of the activity of companies, individuals and last but not least, public authorities, by reducing bureaucracy and the workload. In Romania, the first law on electronic signatures dates from 2001, and at European level there is a Regulation from 2014 that is directly applicable in all EU Members States.
