Glossary One-Shot Signature

The B2C Online Signature: Efficient Contracts thanks to One-Shot Technology

The B2C online signature is the digital equivalent of a handwritten signature, enabling companies to conclude contracts with consumers entirely online without disrupting the process. While simple digital confirmations are sufficient for many everyday processes, highly regulated industries such as finance and insurance require a legally compliant, top-tier solution. As user experience plays a decisive role in the success of business models, it is crucial to bring statutory written form requirements into online channels without encountering the usual obstacles.

This article examines the legal framework for B2C online signatures, the advantages of automated processes in terms of conversion rates, and the relevance of this technology in the context of digital business processes.

The challenge of online signatures in the B2C sector

Conventional digital signature methods using a QES usually employ reusable signatures. This typically requires both the issuer of the contract or document and the signatory to first register on a signature platform. This often involves considerable effort, such as creating a user account, undergoing multiple identification checks, and setting up an authentication method for repeated signing.

Such processes are well-suited in the B2B sector, where documents requiring legally valid signatures are routinely processed. However, in the B2C sector, where a signature is usually only required once (e.g., for an insurance contract or loan application), this process can be a significant hurdle for everyday users.

This is one of the main reasons why the QES, despite being legally equivalent to a handwritten signature, has not yet been widely adopted, particularly in transactions with consumers.

The B2C online signature using the one-shot process addresses this issue by eliminating these barriers and integrating digital identity verification directly into the signing process.

How it works: Identification and signature as a single unit

PXL Vision's one-shot signature solution requires no media disruption or prior account creation. Companies simply provide their consumers with a link through which they can verify their identity and sign the document with a qualified electronic signature immediately.

The entire online signing process is digital and efficient, and no app is required. This makes it ideal for business models that require high levels of security and compliance while remaining user-friendly.

Getting started

The user initiates the process via a link (browser-based, no app required).

AI identification

The ID document is automatically verified and scanned (via an NFC interface), supplemented by a biometric comparison using a selfie (liveness detection).

Certificate creation

A certified Trust Service Provider (TSP) generates a one-time signature certificate for this specific transaction in the background.

Signature approval

The user confirms the signature through identity verification.

Completion

The document is signed with full legal validity.

Legal framework for B2C online signatures

The one-shot signature is fully compliant with the European eIDAS Regulation (Art. 25) as well as the Swiss Federal Act on Electronic Signatures (ZertES).

eIDAS (EU): According to Article 25, the legal effect of an electronic signature shall not be denied solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form. A qualified electronic signature (QES) also enjoys the presumption of data integrity and the correctness of the origin of the data.
ZertES (Switzerland): This one-shot solution meets the strict Swiss legal framework requirements for identification and certificate issuance.
AML compliance: When used alongside verified identification, it meets the Anti-Money Laundering Act's (AML) requirements for identifying contracting parties in financial transactions. This makes it the ideal solution for banks and financial service providers looking to process loan agreements or open securities accounts entirely digitally.

Benefits of the one-shot signature

Implementing the one-shot process offers businesses a number of significant strategic advantages:

User-friendliness: No user account or setup is required. Consumers can sign "on the fly."

Speed: Identification and signing take place in a single, guided step.
Legal certainty: eIDAS- and ZertES-compliant qualified electronic signatures of the highest standard.
AML-compliant: Compliance with regulatory requirements for identification (KYC).
Seamless: Ideal for fully digital onboarding processes without the need for postal mail or in-person appointments.
Scalable: Perfectly suited for B2C scenarios in financial services, insurance, and public institutions as it eliminates the need for human resources such as video identification agents.

The role of automation in conversion rates

In high-volume B2C markets, the conversion rate is the key metric. Traditional methods, such as video identification, often result in high dropout rates because users do not want to wait for an agent to become available, or because the lighting conditions during the call are inadequate.

PXL Vision’s One-Shot Signature relies entirely on Auto-Ident. Identity is verified in real time through AI-based verification of ID documents and biometric features. This ensures that the legal hurdle of the QES is virtually invisible to the consumer.

Ideally, the service provider can also retrieve the entire identification data package immediately. This ensures a completely seamless digital onboarding process. The One-Shot Signature makes the qualified electronic signature suitable for mass adoption without compromising security, legal validity or user experience.

Comprehensive B2C online signature solutions for businesses

For businesses with consumer-facing operations, choosing the right signature method determines the cost-effectiveness of their digital channels. While the simple electronic signature (SES) is sufficient in many cases, highly regulated sectors require the qualified electronic signature (QES).

The one-shot procedure is an ideal solution, combining scalability with legal certainty. Companies that use automated identity verification alongside ad hoc certificates not only reduce their operational costs, but also increase consumer satisfaction sustainably by providing a barrier-free process.

FAQ on B2C online signatures

What happens to the identity data after the one-shot signature?

In line with the principle of data minimisation, it is collected and processed solely for this purpose. The provider does not create a lifelong user profile. This minimises risk for consumers and reduces the compliance burden for the company requesting the signature.

Can I complete a one-shot signature without video identification?

Yes, that is a key advantage. If modern methods such as reading the e-ID chip (NFC) or the bank identification process are used, the one-shot signature can be completed fully automatically in a matter of seconds. This eliminates waiting times in call centers and significantly increases the success rate.

What happens if identification fails or is canceled?

As the one-shot signature relies on Auto-Ident, consumers receive immediate, real-time feedback in the event of reading errors (e.g., poor lighting), enabling them to correct the attempt. If the process is canceled, however, the company incurs no costs for a permanent account. The transaction can simply be restarted via the original link.

How long is the one-time certificate valid for?

The qualified certificate issued for the one-shot signature is known as a "short-term certificate." It is generated on a transaction-by-transaction basis and ceases to be valid for further transactions shortly after the signature is applied (often after a few minutes or hours). However, the legal validity of the signed document remains unaffected and can be verified indefinitely.