In the paper world, and with regard to documentary credits, authentication is conveyed by the examination of documents on their face. As stated in UCP 600 sub-article 14 (a), banks must examine a presentation to determine whether or not the documents appear on their face to constitute a complying presentation. If they do not appear on their face to do so, a bank can refuse to honour or negotiate on that basis, provided that it is able to prove that they are false, forged, or fraudulent.
Moving to the digital or electronic arena, there is a greater deal of focus on the authentication of data. As a result, various levels of authentication have arisen, some tied to specific technology.
Although used extensively throughout eUCP, it is deliberate that ‘authentication' is not defined. The basis for this approach is the conviction that any purported definition would either unnecessarily duplicate the definition of ‘electronic record' or, even worse, provide a specific link to existing technology.
As to how the eUCP intends the term to be understood, this is apparent from the context in which it is used. As referenced in the original ‘ICC Guide to the eUCP', authentication is that process of screening incoming data as to identity, source, and error that is preliminary to it being deemed to have been presented.
The term "authenticate" is used in the eUCP in two different ‘logics'. As defined in sub-article e3 (b) (iii) (Electronic record), it means identifying the person sending a message and the source of the message. In eUCP sub-article e3 (b) (iv) (Electronic signature), it means linking the person who is authenticating with the actual content of the message that is authenticated.