<P> A certificate identifying an individual, typically for electronic signature purposes . These are most commonly used in Europe, where the eIDAS regulation standardizes them and requires their recognition . </P> <P> A self - signed certificate used to sign other certificates . Also sometimes called a trust anchor . </P> <P> A certificate used to sign other certificates . An intermediate certificate must be signed by another intermediate certificate, or a root certificate . </P> <P> Any certificate that cannot be used to sign other certificates . For instance, TLS / SSL server and client certificates, email certificates, code signing certificates, and qualified certificates are all end - entity certificates . </P>

Who issues digital certificates and how are they used