UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records
The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) is a uniform law created by the United Nations to let electronic versions of important trade documents be used instead of paper. It was adopted in 2017. The law covers documents like bills of lading, warehouse receipts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and cheques. Instead of proving your right to goods or payment by holding paper, MLETR allows electronic records to be used, as long as they are reliable and properly controlled.
Key ideas and benefits
- An electronic transferable record can be managed in the same system that handles other documents, so different records related to a transaction can be stored together.
- This can help merge logistics, supply chains, and related commercial or regulatory documents into one digital record system.
- Studies in the United Kingdom estimate large economic benefits from adopting MLETR-aligned rules, including significant efficiency savings and faster processing of trade documents.
How MLETR works
- The law is built on four chapters: general provisions; functional equivalence; use of electronic transferable records; and cross-border recognition.
- It follows core UNCITRAL principles: functional equivalence (electronic records can do the same work as paper ones), technology neutrality, and non-discrimination against electronic methods.
- It is model-neutral and can be implemented using registries, tokens, or distributed ledgers (blockchain-like systems). The Explanatory Note even provides guidance on using distributed ledgers.
- Article 2 defines what an electronic transferable record is and what a transferable document or instrument is.
- Article 6 allows adding metadata to electronic transferable records, which can enable smart-contract features.
- Articles 8 and 9 set functional equivalence for writing and signatures; national laws can keep using their existing rules if they apply to electronic records.
- Article 10 sets the conditions for functional equivalence between paper and electronic records: the electronic record must include all information, be reliably identifiable, be controllable throughout its life, and remain intact.
- Article 11 covers possession: there must be a reliable method to establish exclusive control and to identify who is in control.
- Articles 15 and 16 deal with endorsement and amendments of electronic records, which should be clearly identified as such.
- Article 12 provides a non-exhaustive list of reliability factors and a safety clause for methods used.
- Article 19 ensures geographic non-discrimination for electronic transferable records, without altering private international law.
Where MLETR has been adopted
- Countries and places that have enacted MLETR or similar rules include Bahrain, Belize, France, Kiribati, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the UAE.
- Examples of national activity: Bahrain updated its Electronic Transactions Act; Singapore conducted public consultations; Thailand’s cabinet approved including MLETR in its Electronic Transactions Act; the Czech Republic held a public consultation.
Who supports it
- The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) actively promotes MLETR adoption and guidance through its Digital Standards Initiative, including for overcoming pandemic-related disruptions and boosting supply-chain resilience.
- G7 countries have endorsed frameworks to promote electronic transferable records, supporting national laws aligned with MLETR.
Impact in practice
- In practice, electronic bills of lading under Singapore law using MLETR have been used for shipments and are supported by international groups.
- Bahrain has launched an electronic check system based on MLETR provisions, allowing electronic checks on mobile devices.
In short, MLETR provides a clear framework so electronic records can replace paper for key trade documents, enabling secure control, reliable recognition across borders, and potential big efficiency gains for international trade.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:15 (CET).