Mandatory e-filing of central excise returns required; electronic ACES registration and filing procedures prescribed for all assessees. Mandatory electronic filing of prescribed Central Excise returns is instituted through ACES from 1 October 2011, covering ER 1, ER 2, ER 3, ER 4 (unless exempt), ER 5 and ER 6 (where not exempt), ER 7, and ER 8 for specified exemption beneficiaries. Users must register with ACES (new, existing, non assessee procedures outlined), obtain permanent user IDs and credentials, complete statutory registration forms with jurisdictional offices, and file returns either online or via offline utilities that perform validations; ACES validates uploads and provides status tracking. Digital signatures are initially not required; Customer Facilitation Centres and a service desk are available for assistance.