This document sets out general guidelines on the recommended functionality and assurances for electronic signature verification, in the light of the recommendations in Annex IV from [Dir.1999/93/EC]and in the interest of the consumer. Its primary purpose is to provide guidance on the way to verify qualified electronic signatures that are equivalent to handwritten signatures according to Article 5.1 of Dir.1999/93/EC [1] , and to complement them with additional data that may help in assessing their validity long after their signing time. Signatures with such additional data have been called ""Enhanced Electronic Signatures"".