original documents theypurport toreproduce; theextenttowhichaccounting records canbeheldelectronically and theconditions underwhichonecouldbeallowed tostorethedocuments or information onwhichsuchaccounting wasbasedexclusively oncomputer; thepossibility ofallowing taxorcustoms declarations tobe submitted byelectronic means. 18.TheTEDISstudymakesitclearthat,although efforts havebeenmadeat thenational leveltosolvesomeoftheproblems arising fromtheuseofEDI, andmorespecifically thoserelated tothelegalvalueofcomputer records, manyotherproblems, typically thoseofcontract making byelectronic means, remainsubject totraditional rules. Thoseruleswouldneedtobe interpreted, developed andupdated bycaselawornational administrative practice inordertofitwithanEDIenvironment. Theforthcoming TEDIS report oncontract formation isexpected togiveaclearer indication ofthe extenttowhichthetraditional rulesmayremainappropriate inanEDI environment. 19.Thecurrent TEDISstudy18/identifies astheprincipal legalimpediments totheincreasing useofEDItherequirement thatdocuments bedrawn,A/CN.9/333 English Page8 transmitted orstored onsignedpapers andthelegalrequirements on evidence. Thisisessentially theconclusion thatwasreached asregards computer records inthe1985report. 1.Therequirement todraw,deliver, sendorstoredocuments on signedpapers 20.Thereasons fortherequirement todraw,deliver, sendorstoredocuments onsignedpapersarevaried andthecontents oftherequirement itselfare subject toconsiderable variation fromonelegalsystemtoanother. (a)Application tocontracts 21.According totheprinciple ofpartyautonomy, whichexistsinmostlegal systems, parties mayconclude contracts byanymeanstheyagreeupon.Ifthe form,orabsence ofform,chosenfortheformation ofthecontract provides no physical evidence ofthecommonwilloftheparties toenterintoacontract, theenforceability ofthecontract maybeaffected butgenerally notits validity. 22.Asanexception totheabovestatedprinciple, theTEDISstudynotesthat mostlegalsystems distinguish between various categories ofcontracts, some ofwhichcouldnotbevalidly concluded through electronic meanswhileothers, although theycouldbeconcluded, wouldexperience specific difficulties inan EDIcontext. 23.Asanexample ofsuchexceptions, undermanynational laws,thereexists acategory ofcontracts whosevalidity depends uponthefulfilment ofsome formality. Although thiscategory ofcontracts ismoreabundant incivillaw countries, itisnotunknown tothecommon lawsystems. Itisoftenthecase thattherequired formality istheconclusion ofthecontract inwritten form.Certain contracts, suchasthetransfer ormortgage ofrealestate, or somelong-term contracts fortheleaseofrealestate, maybesubject to additional formalities suchastheexistence ofanotarized writing. In addition, incertain cases,thecontracts mayhavetoberegistered witha publicauthority. Forsomeothercontracts, theonlyrequired formality consists ofthewritten formofthecontract, without anyadditional statutory specification asregards theformofthewriting. Inseveral civillaw countries, thiscategory encompasses avariety ofcontracts including, amongst others, thetransfer ofregistered ships,themortgage ofshipsoraircrafts andallcontracts concluded fortheuseofships. Inthecurrent situation wherelittlehasbeendonebymostnational authorities toallowforsuch required formalities tobecompleted byelectronic means,thosesolemnized contracts remainoutside thescopeofEDI. 24.Inthoselegalsystems wheretherequirement ofawriting exists,it variesconsiderably fromonenational lawtoanother. Therearelegalacts thatarerequired tobeinwriting underthelawofoneormoreofthetwelve StatesbutnotunderthelawofothermemberStates. Wheresucharequirement exists, thesamesortofwriting isnotnecessarily required byallnational laws;fortheformation ofonesingletypeofcontract, asimplesigned writing may berequired forevidentiary purposes inoneState,whereas a notarized writing wouldberequired forvalidity purposes inanother.• •• ,A/CN.9/333 English Page9 25.Ingeneral, theTEDISstudy19/indicates thatawriting isrequired for validity purposes: whenever itisnecessary torender atransaction opposable tothird parties. Theformality inthiscaseisgenerally thatthewriting should
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the legal and technical aspects of electronic data interchange (EDI) in the context of international trade and commerce. It highlights the need for harmonization of laws and regulations to facilitate the use of EDI in different countries. The text also touches on the concept of contract formation and the requirements for written documentation, which suggests that it is related to the field of commerce and trade.

**Category**
International trade, Transport and communication