This part is an informative introduction into the following parts. It gives guidance to the following parts in order to allow an efficient usage of the provided information. Therefore Part 1 provides history, application context, market perspective and a tutorial about the basic understanding of electronic signatures. " Clause 3 provides Terms and definitions covering all parts of this standards. The specific parts will contain a similar section which refers to the clause of this Part 1. " Clause 4 provides Symbols and abbreviations covering all parts of this standards. The specific parts will contain a similar section which refers to the clause of this Part 1. " Clause 5 provides a Management Summary that describes the market context in which electronic signatures are typically " Annex A provides the algorithm identifies for all parts of the standard. " Annex B provides the algorithm identifies for all parts of the standard. " Annex C provides the build scheme for object identifiers for all parts of the standard. " Annex D "Tutorial on Signature Technology" provides a tutorial which helps the first reader to get familiar with signature technology and its relation to the society that it serves. " Annex E "Guide to the EN419212" explains the historical and technical evolution of the ESIGN activities which did finally lead to this version of the signature standard.