Safe e-Shop 2012

The certification of online stores serves to build a sense of security when shopping online. One of the more popular certificates on the market is the Euro-Label. The certificate is a confirmation of the credibility, quality, and reliability of the services provided by the entrepreneur. First and foremost, the store’s customer receives assurance that the online store actually exists and that the terms of sale are understandable and described on the website. A seller who has received the Euro-Label certificate respects personal data protection regulations. The buyer can count on the goods being delivered in accordance with the order, and in the event of transaction irregularities, a complaint handling procedure will be applied. Euro-Label also belongs to the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) system for out-of-court dispute resolution. Thanks to this, a consumer who has trouble reaching an agreement with a store can turn to us for help, and we strive to find a solution that satisfies both parties. So far, the disputes we have dealt with have ended in an agreement between both parties.

Another action increasing the credibility of online stores is the Safe e-Shop competition. The goal of the competition is to promote the use of good business practices in electronic commerce by online stores. Over 1,400 online stores applied for the previous edition of the competition. Such a large number of applications proves that online stores are not afraid of verification. They want to operate safely, and if they make mistakes regarding legal customer service, they want to correct them.

Over 70% of the stores surveyed in the previous edition of the competition did not fulfill their information obligation. Most often, they forgot to provide registration numbers, NIP (Tax Identification Number), REGON (National Business Registry Number), the body registering the business, and in the case of companies, the registration body for share capital on the website. A similar number of stores did not have a security certificate, popularly known as SSL. Another shortcoming was forcing customers to consent to the processing of personal data. Many stores also had problems with the correct interpretation of regulations related to, for example, warranty, guarantee, complaints, or the right to withdraw from the contract.

The Safe e-Shop competition is an opportunity to distinguish the most reliable and credible online stores. The second edition of the campaign was organized by the Institute of Logistics and Warehousing, and it is patronized by the Ministry of Economy, the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection, and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. The Click Shop platform provided by home.pl got involved in supporting the competition as a strategic partner. The competition partners also include: Unizeto Technologies, MPW Legal Counsel Office, the Direct Marketing Association, and BIG Infomonitor. The initiative aims to draw attention to the safety of online trade for both sellers and buyers.

The evaluation of the stores will consist of two stages. During the first, the formal and legal correctness of the applied terms and conditions, the method of handling the shopping cart, and lawful personal data protection will be assessed. Stores that qualify for the second stage will be evaluated by the competition jury in terms of the transparency and readability of the website, along with texts such as the e-shop regulations or descriptions of the products available in them.

The winners of the competition will be selected by a jury composed of, among others, representatives of: the Ministry of Economy, the Federation of Consumers, the European Consumer Centre, and the companies Siódemka, Opineo, Home.pl, Transferuj.pl, and Benhauer. Participation in the competition is free, and candidates can be submitted at www.bezpiecznyesklep.pl until January 31, 2012. We will find out the winners on March 15, 2012.