The ECC-Net recently analysed a range of 54 online trust mark schemes existing in the EU, which it published in the report “Can I trust the trust mark?”. According to the ECC-Net, the main problem is the lack of uniformity in the various features offered by these schemes. The ECC-Net recommends that trust marks be developed according to uniform best practices, minimum rules, or mutual codes of conduct that could be established on a pan-European level by the collaboration of business associations.

 

The survey also found that consumers are faced with a "jungle" of trust marks and also with a certain vagueness of their rules. It is therefore difficult for consumers to decide if the trust marks can be really trusted, and what added value they bring. A web survey has also shown that consumers not only value trust marks, but frequently use consumer reviews when shopping on the web. 

 

The report of the European Consumer Centre network about online trust marks can be found on the site of the ECC, as well as short information about single trust mark schemes.