The family at a glance
| Extension | What it is | Country | Opens in ASiCE Viewer |
|---|---|---|---|
.asice, .sce | ASiC-E container | EU-wide, default in Estonia | Yes |
.asics, .scs | ASiC-S, one file plus signature or time stamp | EU-wide | Yes |
.bdoc | Estonian profile of ASiC-E | Estonia | Yes |
.edoc | Latvian signed container | Latvia | Yes |
.adoc | Lithuanian signed document | Lithuania | Yes |
.ddoc | Older XML-based signed file | Estonia | Yes |
.cdoc | Encrypted container | Estonia | Recipients only, no decryption |
Why your computer does not recognise it
An extension is only a label. The system keeps a table that maps labels to programs, and .asice is not in the table until signing software adds it. The file is fine; it just has no default program. See ASiC-E file opener for ways to set one.
Should you rename the file?
- To
.zip: harmless as a way to peek inside, because the container is a ZIP archive. Rename a copy, never the original. - To
.pdfor.docx: pointless. Renaming does not convert anything; the program will report a damaged file. - Back from
.zipto.asice: correct if a mail server changed it. The content was never altered.
Extensions that hide
Windows hides known extensions by default, so a file may show as contract with an unfamiliar icon. Turn on File name extensions in the View menu of File Explorer to see the full name. On macOS, enable Show all filename extensions in Finder settings.
The MIME type behind the extension
Web servers and mail programs use a media type instead of an extension: application/vnd.etsi.asic-e+zip for ASiC-E and application/vnd.etsi.asic-s+zip for ASiC-S. The same string is stored inside the container in the mimetype file, so software can identify the format even when the extension has been changed.
One viewer for the whole family
Because most of these share a structure, ASiCE Viewer recognises a container by its content rather than its name. A renamed or oddly named file still opens. On Android, the app handles .asice, .asics, .bdoc, .edoc, .adoc and .p7s.
Frequently asked questions
Is .sce the same as .asice?
Yes. Both are extensions of the ASiC-E container. The standard allows either.
How do I change .zip back to .asice?
Rename the file and replace the ending. If the extension is hidden, enable file name extensions in your file manager first.