Over 10,000 certified European 
online shops can now join the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark for free. The objective of the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark is to stimulate cross-border e-commerce through better protection for consumers and merchants by establishing one European set of rules and by ensuring clear communication on these rules.
The President of Ecommerce Europe, Mr. François Momboisse, declared: “The roll-out of the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark represents a big step forward to stimulate trust in online cross-border transactions. In an environment with multiple Trustmark schemes in the development phase, the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark is the only non-profit trustmark with more than 10.000 certified companies. It is also the only pan-European trustmark with its own consumer-friendly complaints handling system. And perhaps most importantly it is the only European trustmark that is free for members of participating national associations. It is essential that European regulators give their support to the most reliable and accessible schemes, such as the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark”.
Better protection for consumers
The Ecommerce Europe Trustmark has been developed in continuous dialogue with consumer organizations, both on national and on European level. Together with these consumer organizations and almost 20 national e-commerce associations, Ecommerce Europe has developed a clear and comprehensive set of rights and obligations for online sales. Online merchants carrying the Trustmark commit themselves to clear communication on these rules. Moreover, Ecommerce Europe provides consumers with easy access to a complaints handling system in their own language to solve possible disputes in a fast and low-cost way.
Transparency before, during and after the sale
The Ecommerce Europe Trustmark has a clear and recognizable label. By clicking on it, the consumer will be led to the Code of Conduct and a clear explanation of his or her rights and the commitments of the merchant. The Code of Conduct will include for instance the commitment of the merchant to be clear and transparent on the offer and prices before the consumer enters the order process, and the commitment of the merchant to offer the client transparent, easily acceptable and safe payment methods.
Not in the UK (yet!)
At this moment, Ecommerce Europe is in the first phase of the roll-out of its Trustmark, where the Ecommerce Europe Trustmark is connected to a membership of participating National Associations. Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be a UK national association that’s part of Ecommerce Europe, and the only way to apply for the mark is through your national association.
More harmonization on European level
The final goal is to reach more harmonization on a European level, and this will be performed in a second phase by upgrading the Trustmark set of criteria in all countries.
