Cessation of activity as a certification service provider

Certification service providers issue qualified certificates or qualified time stamps within the meaning of the Signature Act.

If you operate as a certification service provider and cease your activities, you must notify the competent authority immediately.

You must ensure that

• the qualified certificates valid at the time of cessation of activity are taken over by another certification service provider,
• the affected signature key holders are notified of the cessation of activities and the takeover of the qualified certificates by another certification service provider and
• the documentation pursuant to Section 10 of the Digital Signature Act is handed over to the certification service provider taking over or to the Federal Network Agency.

If the qualified certificates are not taken over by another certification service provider, you must revoke them. If insolvency proceedings have been opened, you must also notify the competent authority immediately.

Requirements

An informal notification is required.