Acknowledgement by opening or returning an email does not fulfil the requirements of an electronic signature, and in the example given above does not clearly indicate that the person has read and understood the document.

An electronic signature must clearly identify the person performing the action, and time stamp it. This typically requires the person signing to verify their identity at the point the electronic signature is applied (i.e. user name / password). This ensures, as far as one can, that the signature is attributable to the person signing, and not just a consequence of them being left logged on to a system and another person signing on their behalf. Compliant electronic signatures are equivalent to a hand written signature and must demonstrate the principles of ALCOA, as outlined in the MHRA data integrity guidance and by others.