A digital copy of a document referred to in article L. 1111-25, which meets the conditions of reliability set out in the second paragraph of article 1379 of the Civil Code, has the same evidential value as the original paper document.
Where a reliable digital copy has been made, the original document may be destroyed before the end of the legal retention period or, failing that, the period provided for in article 4, paragraph 5 of law no. 78-17 of 6 January 1978 relating to information technology, files and civil liberties.
If this original document falls within the scope of public archives within the meaning ofarticle L. 211-4 of the French Heritage Code, authorisation for destruction is subject to approval by the archive administration, in accordance with the provisions of article L. 212-3 of the French Heritage Code.