Better Business Bureau System Posts Draft of New Code of Online Business Practices and Solicits Public Comment / Proposed Code Posted Online and to be Discussed

Arlington, Va. (PROTEXT) - The Better Business Bureau systemtoday released a draft of its new Code of Online BusinessPractices and began seeking public comment on the code. December30 is the deadline for comment on the proposed code, which can beviewed at http://www.bbbonline.org/businesses/code/draft. The proposed code builds on the Better Business Bureaus --eight decades of experience in fostering ethical businesspractices. The code also draws on the experience BBBOnLine hasgained while reviewing more than 5,000 commercial Web sites toevaluate their qualifications for participation in the BBBOnLineReliability Seal and BBBOnLine Privacy Seal Programs. The BBBsystem has a long history of developing codes of businesspractices and a respected reputation for working effectively withconsumers, businesses and government to build trust in themarketplace. "This new code will be a roadmap for businesses engaged in e-commerce, including many that are new and inexperienced," saidKenneth J. Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of BetterBusiness Bureaus, the umbrella organization for the 132 BBBs inthe United States and Puerto Rico. "We believe the best way toprotect consumers is to develop common business practices thatreflect high standards of conduct, and to encourage the businesscommunity to adopt them." The Better Business Bureau system is actively seeking inputfrom the e-business community, the government and the public tohelp make sure the new code reflects the best practices in e-commerce. To maximize public participation, the Web site providesan easy-to-use email response system. "We look forward to comments from those merchants that areactively involved in offering a quality shopping experience toonline consumers," said Russell Bodoff, senior vice president andCOO of BBBOnLine, a subsidiary of the Council of Better BusinessBureaus. "At the same time, we would welcome input from consumers-- those who have enjoyed a safe online shopping experience, andthose who have suggestions for improving the Internetmarketplace." In conjunction with posting the proposed code, BBBOnLine andBetter Business Bureaus will host three regional meetings todiscuss the new code face-to-face with interested consumers,regulators, trade association leaders and business executives.The meetings will take place in Denver, Colorado, on December 1;Palo Alto, California, on December 2; and Washington, D.C. onDecember 9. Registration for the regional meetings is availableonline athttp://www.bbbonline.org/businesses/code/register/default.cfm. Bodoff said that government officials and regulators, here andabroad, have encouraged development of the code. BBBOnLine willbe working with global corporations to solicit input frombusinesses, consumers and government officials in othercountries. The BBB's new code of online business practices is the latesteffort to give consumers confidence in doing business online andfollows the creation of the BBBOnLine Reliability Seal andPrivacy Seal Programs. Five basic principles drive the proposedCode's detailed recommendations: * Disclose, Disclose, Disclose. Online businesses shalldisclose to their customers and prospective customers, clearly,conspicuously and in easy-to- understand language, accurateinformation about the business, any goods or services offeredthrough an online transaction and, if applicable, the transactionitself. * Tell the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth. Onlinebusinesses shall not engage in deceptive or misleading tradepractices with regard to any aspect of electronic commerce,including advertising, marketing, or in their use of technology. * Have Respectful Information Practices. Online businessesshall adopt information practices that respect the consumer'sconcerns and treat the information with care. They shall post andadhere to a privacy policy based on fair information principles,take appropriate measures to provide adequate security, andrespect consumer preferences regarding unsolicited email. * Aim to Please. Online businesses should make online shoppinga positive consumer experience and shall seek to resolve disputesthat are raised by their customers, clients, or licensees in atimely and responsive manner. * Take Special Care with Children. If online businesses targetchildren under the age of 13, they shall take special care toprotect them. For additional information on the Better Business Bureau,visit: www.bbb.org. For additional information on BBOnLine,visit: www.bbbonline.org. ots Original Text Service: BetterBusiness Bureau Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact:Holly Cherico of the Better Business Bureau, 703-247-9311 Website: http://www.bbb.org

http://www.bbbonline.org

Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents.

PROTEXT