---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 7031"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "7031"
heading: "Principles governing the use of electronic signatures in international transactions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/7031"
units:
  - "Chapter 96 — Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce"
  - "Subchapter III — Promotion of International Electronic Commerce"
---

# §7031. Principles governing the use of electronic signatures in international transactions

- (a) **Promotion of electronic signatures—**
  - (1) **Required actions—** The Secretary of Commerce shall promote the acceptance and use, on an international basis, of [electronic signatures](/usc/15/7006.md?p=5) in accordance with the principles specified in [paragraph (2)](#a-2) and in a manner consistent with [section 7001 of this title](/usc/15/7001.md). The Secretary of Commerce shall take all actions necessary in a manner consistent with such principles to eliminate or reduce, to the maximum extent possible, the impediments to commerce in [electronic signatures](/usc/15/7006.md?p=5), for the purpose of facilitating the development of interstate and foreign commerce.
  - (2) **Principles—** The principles specified in this paragraph are the following:
    - (A) Remove paper-based obstacles to [electronic](/usc/15/7006.md?p=2) [transactions](/usc/15/7006.md?p=13) by adopting relevant principles from the Model Law on [Electronic](/usc/15/7006.md?p=2) Commerce adopted in 1996 by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.
    - (B) Permit parties to a [transaction](/usc/15/7006.md?p=13) to determine the appropriate authentication technologies and implementation models for their [transactions](/usc/15/7006.md?p=13), with assurance that those technologies and implementation models will be recognized and enforced.
    - (C) Permit parties to a [transaction](/usc/15/7006.md?p=13) to have the opportunity to prove in court or other proceedings that their authentication approaches and their [transactions](/usc/15/7006.md?p=13) are valid.
    - (D) Take a nondiscriminatory approach to [electronic signatures](/usc/15/7006.md?p=5) and authentication methods from other jurisdictions.
- (b) **Consultation—** In conducting the activities required by this section, the Secretary shall consult with users and providers of [electronic signature](/usc/15/7006.md?p=5) products and services and other interested [persons](/usc/15/7006.md?p=8).
- (c) **Definitions—** As used in this section, the terms “[electronic record](/usc/15/7006.md?p=4)” and “[electronic signature](/usc/15/7006.md?p=5)” have the same meanings provided in [section 7006 of this title](/usc/15/7006.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–229, title III, § 301, June 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 475.)