# E-signature (electronic signature)

> An electronic signature (e-signature) is data attached to a document that identifies the signatory and their intent to sign; on inspection reports it records the technician's and reviewer's approval without printing and scanning.

- Source: https://amps.global/glossary/e-signature/
- Type: Glossary
- Published: 2026-09-05
- Tags: software, quality

## Key facts

- Recognised under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Australia) and the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 (New Zealand) when the method identifies the signer and indicates approval
- Digital signatures are a cryptographic subset of electronic signatures
- Accreditation assessors care that the signatory was authorised and that the signed version is the one issued
- AMPS reports can be signed within AMPS

Also known as: electronic signature, digital signature, report sign-off.

## Why it matters in inspection

Reports are often finished on site and needed the same day. Printing, signing and scanning delays the client and creates uncontrolled copies.

## Signing in AMPS

The AMPS reporting case study shows a report being signed in AMPS; the signed Word document is saved to the job's report folder and sent to the client from AMPS, and the history feature records who did it and when.

## Related pages

- [Using the AMPS reporting system](https://amps.global/case-studies/04-reporting-system/)
- [Authorised signatory](https://amps.global/glossary/authorised-signatory/)
- [Audit trail](https://amps.global/glossary/audit-trail/)

## Sources

- [Electronic signature on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_signature)