Digital trust expertise rooted in German business.
Since 1997, DE-CODA has connected the requirements of German Chambers of Commerce with secure electronic signature processes for businesses.
Why DE-CODA
Born from the Chamber world. Built for German business.
On 10 October 1997, DE-CODA GmbH was founded in Bonn as a wholly owned subsidiary of the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce, then known as the DIHT.
The full name — Gesellschaft zur elektronischen Zertifizierung von Dokumenten insbesondere im Handelsverkehr — already expressed its purpose: to make electronic certification and signatures usable in commerce.
From the beginning, DE-CODA performed pioneering work as an active member of TeleTrusT e.V., in dialogue with the Federal Office for Information Security and the Federal Ministry of Economics. Through brochures, circulars and presentations, DE-CODA informed Chambers of Commerce and laid the foundation for the later Chamber signature service.
Today, DE-CODA continues that mission by bringing electronic signatures, seals, identification and in-person solutions to German organisations, with local advice and support.
1997Founded in Bonn
28+Years of experience
63Chamber partners in the historical network
Pioneering & institutional foundations
Founded in Bonn on 10 October 1997 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the DIHT (now DIHK), DE-CODA became an active member of TeleTrusT and exchanged expertise with the BSI and Federal Ministry of Economics. A trilateral agreement with D-Trust and the Chambers was signed on 12 July 1999; Frankfurt, Hamburg, Offenbach and Mainz were among the first participating Chambers. DE-CODA relocated to Berlin. In 2000–2001, the initiative received the TeleTrusT ISSE Innovation Award in Barcelona, followed by the launch of the Chamber signature service.
Nationwide Chamber infrastructure
Cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce established a nationwide trust network. By its tenth anniversary, DE-CODA had 63 active Chamber partners, around 250 trained registration specialists supporting identity checks and registration for signature certificates, and 13 signature applications in use. These historical figures document the reach of the Chamber signature service.
Digital trust today: DE-CODA SIGN
New shareholders renewed the original mission in 2025: to offer electronic-signature solutions directly to the German market again. In 2026, DE-CODA SIGN continues that mission with an end-to-end signature ecosystem — eIDAS-compliant, EUDI Wallet-ready, with cloud signatures and in-person solutions. It is operated in a German data centre with ISO 27001 based on IT-Grundschutz.
Made for German business
Local DE-CODA advice and support since 1997
Operated in Germany
Operated in a German data centre with ISO 27001 based on IT-Grundschutz.
European solution
Designed around European trust and privacy requirements
Our German infrastructure partner
ISO 27001 based on IT-Grundschutz · rhöncloud
Next step
Ready to sign digitally?
Start with DE-CODA SIGN or route your certificate, branch hardware or enterprise requirement to the right DE-CODA specialist.
