An electronic time stamp is data in electronic form which binds other data in electronic form to a particular time establishing evidence that the latter data existed at that time.
For example, a signatory can use an electronic time stamp to bind a signed document to a particular date and time and prove in the future that the signed document existed at this particular date and time.
Legal effects of an electronic timestamp
Across all EU Member States, the legal effects of electronic time stamps are laid down in Article 41 of eIDAS. An electronic time stamp (qualified or not) shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements of the qualified electronic time stamp.