An advanced electronic signature (AdES) is an electronic signature that is uniquely linked to and capable of identifying the signer, created using data the signer can control, and linked to the signed data so that any later change is detectable. It is the baseline that PAdES, CAdES, XAdES and JAdES all implement.
AdES vs the qualified level
AdES gives strong technical assurance but is self-asserted — the signer's identity is not vouched for by a qualified provider. Adding a qualified certificate and a qualified signing device turns an AdES into a QES, which is where the automatic EU-wide legal equivalence comes from.
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