Paris, August 14, 2025 – France has taken a historic leap into the digital age of global trade. With the publication of Decree No. 2025-811 in the Journal Officiel, the country has fully transposed the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) into its national legal framework.
The reform, long awaited by the trade and finance community, gives electronic bills of lading, bills of exchange, and promissory notes the same legal standing as their paper counterparts. In practice, this means that companies, banks, and carriers can now operate entirely digitally — with full legal certainty.
The decree builds on France’s Attractiveness Law on Digitalization, adopted in June 2024, which set out to modernize the nation’s financial and commercial infrastructure. By defining what constitutes a “reliable method” for issuing, transferring, and preserving digital instruments, Decree 2025-811 provides the missing piece of the puzzle.
Why It Matters
For businesses and financial institutions, the change is more than symbolic. It guarantees that:
- Each electronic record is unique and tamper-proof, eliminating the risk of duplicate claims.
- Only the legitimate holder has exclusive control, secured by advanced digital identity systems aligned with the EU’s eIDAS framework.
- All transactions are backed by certified and auditable processes, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Paper and digital formats can be converted without losing any legal rights.
A Milestone for Trade Finance
“This is a turning point for trade finance in Europe,” said one Paris-based trade lawyer following the announcement. “With this decree, France sends a clear signal that it is ready to lead on digital trade, both within the EU and globally.”
The reform also modernizes provisions across multiple legal codes — from commerce and finance to insurance and transport — embedding digitalization into the heart of France’s legal infrastructure.
Industry experts say the benefits will be felt across shipping, logistics, supply chain finance, and insurance, reducing paperwork, speeding up transactions, and opening the door for new digital trade innovations.
The Bigger Picture
France’s move places it firmly at the forefront of the EU’s digital trade transformation. By aligning with the MLETR, the country not only meets international best practices but also strengthens its role in shaping Europe’s approach to digital identity, cross-border finance, and green-digital trade solutions.
The decree, signed by Prime Minister François Bayrou, Finance Minister Éric Lombard, and Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, comes into effect immediately.
For France, this is more than a legal reform. It is a statement of intent: the future of trade is digital, and the country intends to lead that future.
Summary by DigitalTrade4.EU