The European Cross-Border eCommerce Protection for Consumers
The eCommerce Europe Trustmark is a quality label that can give consumers confidence that they are dealing with a trustworthy and compliant online merchant. If you have an online shop based in Europe and you want to obtain the Trustmark, follow these steps:
Step 1: Check if you are eligible
Before you apply for the eCommerce Europe Trustmark, make sure that your online shop is eligible. The Trustmark is available to online merchants that are based in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, and that comply with the European eCommerce legislation and the eCommerce Europe Code of Conduct.
Here are some of the requirements stated in the Conduct:
Your online shop must be able to communicate with consumers in their local language(s) and accept at least one of the following payment methods: credit card, debit card, PayPal, or bank transfer.
Your online shop must have a clear and easy-to-understand dispute resolution process for consumers, in case there are any issues with their orders.
Your online shop must have measures in place to protect consumers' personal data and privacy, such as a GDPR-compliant privacy policy and secure payment processing.
Step 2: Apply for the Trustmark
To apply for the eCommerce Europe Trustmark, you need to fill out an application form on their website. You will need to provide information about your online shop, such as its name, address, VAT number, and contact details. You will also need to provide evidence that your online shop complies with the Code of Conduct.
Step 3: Certification
After you submit your application, your online shop will be reviewed by an independent certification body. The certification body will check that your online shop complies with the eCommerce Europe Code of Conduct and the relevant legislation. If your online shop meets the requirements, you will receive the Trustmark.
Step 4: Pay the fee
If you are awarded the Trustmark, you will need to pay a fee. The fee varies depending on the size of your online shop and the country in which it is based. The fee covers the cost of the certification process and the use of the Trustmark.
Step 5: Use the Trustmark
Once you have paid the fee, you can start using the Trustmark on your online shop. You can display it on your website and in your marketing materials to show consumers that you are a trustworthy and compliant online merchant.
It's essential to follow the guidelines closely, so make sure you don’t skip any of the steps.
Around the Continent
Successful examples of online shops that have obtained the Trustmark include Zalando, Net-a-Porter, Ikea, Amazon.de, and Adidas. These companies have demonstrated their commitment to providing a high-quality online shopping experience for their customers and complying with the relevant legislation and regulations.
The Ecommerce Europe Trustmark is available in the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. However, some European countries are not involved in the eCommerce Europe Trustmark project, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
In conclusion, obtaining the eCommerce Europe Trustmark for your online shop can help build consumer trust and increase sales. By following these steps, you can apply for and obtain the Trustmark, and join the growing community of European online merchants that are committed to providing a high-quality online shopping experience for their customers.