Work concentrating on Information and communications Technology takes place in UNCITRAL's Working Group IV. This group has focused on the following:

(1997 to present) Electronic commerce

(1992 - 1996) Electronic data interchange

(1988 - 1992) International payments

(1973 - 1987) International negotiable instruments

The Working Group on Electronic Data Interchange ran from 1992 through 1995. For the background leading to this group’s creation, see A/CN.9/360 - Report of the Working Group on International Payments on the Work of its 24th session (17.02.1992).

Upon adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce in 1996, the Commission discussed future work in the field of electronic commerce, based on a preliminary debate held by the Working Group on Electronic Data Interchange (document A/CN.9/421, paras. 109-119). It was agreed that UNCITRAL should continue its work on the preparation of legal standards that could bring predictability to electronic commerce, thereby enhancing trade in all regions (Report of UNCITRAL on the Work of Its Twenty-Ninth Session, A/51/17). For details on the beginnings of this group, see A/CN.9/WG.IV/WP.71 - Planning of Future Work on Electronic Commerce: Digital Signatures, Certification Authorities, and Related Legal Issues.

PRODUCTS

• Working Group IV drafted the Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracting. The aim of the Convention is to eliminate legal obstacles to the use of modern means of communication in contract formation. See background information in a Note by the UNCITRAL Secretariat - document A/CN.9/577/Add.1; in addition, for an initial framing of the elements, see A/CN.9/WG.IV/WP.95 - Legal aspects of electronic commerce - Electronic contracting: provisions for a draft convention.
• UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures (2001) - The Model Law, adopted in 2001, is intended to bring additional legal certainty regarding the use of electronic signatures.
• UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce with Guide to Enactment (1996), with additional article 5 bis as adopted in 1998 - The Model Law, adopted in 1996, is intended to facilitate the use of modern means of communications and storage of information, such as electronic data interchange (EDI), electronic mail and telecopy, with or without the use of such support as the Internet.