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OMB GUIDANCE ON IMPLEMENTING ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

The Office of Management and Budget's predominant mission is to assist the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies. In addition, OMB oversees and coordinates the Administration's procurement, financial management, information, and regulatory policies. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) oversees the Federal regulations and information requirements, and develops policies to improve government statistics and information management.

Below are two report's from the OMB on implementing electronic signatures. While these reports where intended for governmental agencies, the information contained is of equal value to all businesses.

OMB Guidance on Implementing the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act

This document transmits OMB guidance to Executive Agencies regarding the interpretation and implementation of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act ("E-SIGN") (Public Law 106-229) enacted on June 30, 2000. OMB developed this document with substantial help from the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and Treasury.

Memorandum available online here and OMB report available here in PDF

 

OMB Procedures and Guidance on Implementing the Government Paperwork Elimination Act

This document provides Executive agencies with the guidance required under Sections 1703 and 1705 the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), P. L. 105-277, Title XVII.

Memorandum available online here and OMB report available here in HTML

Excerpt from the report:

Section 4. What benefits should agencies consider in planning and implementing electronic signatures and electronic transactions?

Benefits from moving to electronic transactions and electronic signatures include reduction in transaction costs for the agency and the transaction partner. Transactions are quicker and it is often easier to access information related to the transaction because it is in electronic form. The electronic form often allows more effective data analysis because the information is easier to access. Better data analysis often improves the operation of the newly electronic transaction. In addition, if many transactions are electronic and data analysis can be done across transactions the benefits can spillover into the rest of the agency as operational awareness of the entire organization is improved. Moreover, business process reengineering should accompany all attempts to facilitate a transaction through information technology. Often the full benefits will be realized only by restructuring the process to take advantage of the technology. Merely moving an existing paper based process to an electronic one is unlikely to reap the maximum benefits from the electronic system.