BERLIN (Reuters) - The German cabinet Wednesday unveiled a draft bill to conform to a European Union initiative on developing a standard for electronic signatures in Internet commerce. The move follows EU approval of a directive on electronic commerce last year which required member states to pass laws giving electronic and written signatures equal status. ``The new signature law, with which Germany is one of the first European countries to establish an electronic business policy, sets us on a decisive course for an internal European market for e-commerce,'' Economy Minister Werner Mueller said in a statement. The measure, which requires German parliamentary approval, seeks to establish a safe standard to increase trade over the Internet. It is expected to become law in 2001. The lack of a standard for electronic signatures has limited business in many areas under current laws. For example, certain kinds of insurance cannot be sold without a signature.
