The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) on October 10, 2024, issued guidelines for processing of Digital Signature Certificate E-Sign requests submitted by an employer.
The following has been stated: -
•The Central PF Commissioner made Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) mandatory for employers and authorized signatories to authenticate documents and submit statutory returns to the EPFO. Later, E-Sign was also permitted as part of e-Governance initiatives. DSC/E-Sign ensures secure verification and submission, affecting all stakeholders' interests. Misuse can lead to legal consequences for employers.
•The main objective is to ensure secure and authentic submission of establishment-related documents and statutory returns to EPFO.
•Online Submission Process: -
1. Establishments can submit DSC/E-Sign request letters online through the Unified Portal.
2. The request letter requires - Three specimen signatures of the intended signatory, Countersignature and stamp of the employer, and Updated and completed Form 5A (Return of Ownership).
•Name and mobile number of the intended signatory must be provided.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No. File No. Compliance/SOP(DSC)/2022/5550]
